Inclusion Award: Lagos Records Another First with Recognition of 250 Students Living with Disabilities — Each Student Receives No Less Than ₦225,000 Cash Prize

 

By Kayode Olopade 

In a landmark gesture of inclusiveness and  empowerment, the Lagos State Government over the weekend awarded cash prizes to 250 students living with disabilities across all tertiary institutions in the state includingthe Lagos State Cooperative College(LASCOCO), Oko-Oba, Agege.

Organized by the Lagos State Scholarship Board, the award ceremony took place at the Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja, and marked a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the history of the state—and arguably the nation.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, congratulated the award recipients and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to inclusive education.

“This is a special award of recognition to encourage our students living with disabilities. Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has placed great emphasis on identifying and supporting these students. We are proud to honor that vision today,” Sule said.

He praised the Governor for initiating and approving the program and commended all stakeholders who worked to ensure its success. He also paid tribute to the late former Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mr. Ibrahim Lekki, who originally conceptualized the inclusion award initiative.

Sule further lauded the current Executive Secretary, Mrs. Rasheedat Daranijo, for her dedication in bringing the vision to fruition. “She took the baton and ran with it, turning an idea into a living legacy,” he said.

The Commissioner also announced that Governor Sanwo-Olu has approved the payment of bursary awards for all Lagos State indigenes in tertiary institutions, as part of ongoing support for students across the board.

In her welcome remark, Mrs. Daranijo reiterated that this was the first special inclusion award for students living with disabilities in Lagos and possibly the country. She praised the Governor’s magnanimity in approving the budget and reaffirmed the Scholarship Board’s intention to make the initiative an annual program.

“Today, we turn a new page. With the inclusion of persons with disabilities, Lagos State is saying lold and clear—no one is left behind,” she emphasized. She urged all students to take advantage of such opportunities to build capacity for personal and societal development.

In a heartfelt response, one of the beneficiaries, Miss Yekinni Amirah, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government.

“This gesture was unexpected but deeply appreciated. It gives us hope and encourages us to strive harder in our academic journey,” she said.

Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Mosopefoluwa George; Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Olalekan Balogun; General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde - Lawal; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Hon. Kappo Samuel; and General Manager, Eko FM/Radio Lagos, Mr. Jide Lawal, among others.

With this trailblazing initiative, Lagos continues to set the pace in inclusive governance, education support, and social equity.