Foundation expands Lagos disability outreach

The Irede Foundation has expanded its disability inclusion outreach in Lagos, reaching more than 1,000 residents through an annual programme that combines awareness advocacy, fundraising and direct support for people living with disabilities.

The initiative, held in Lagos, brought together volunteers, supporters and beneficiaries who contributed personal resources to support empowerment efforts for persons with disabilities. The programme also featured a 32-kilometre awareness walk aimed at drawing attention to mobility challenges, social exclusion and access gaps affecting the disability community.

The outreach forms part of the foundation’s broader push to improve access to prosthetic limbs and promote inclusion across education, mobility and economic participation.

Speaking at the event, the foundation’s Founder and Chief Executive of the foundation, Crystal Chigbu, said the organisation’s work now extends beyond Nigeria, with operations across all 36 states and growing international footprints in countries including Ghana, Germany, Canada and Namibia.

She said the initiative, themed “No Limits, Just Motion”, was focused on promoting access to transportation, education and information for people living with disabilities, while encouraging them to demonstrate their abilities. As part of this year’s programme, more than 200 children are expected to receive prosthetic limbs.

Chigbu added that the foundation is increasingly deploying 3D-printed prosthetic limbs, following successful pilot runs over the past six months. The technology is expected to account for more than half of the limbs distributed this year, a move she said would accelerate delivery and expand access for both children and adults.

Beyond amputees, she noted that the foundation’s interventions now cover a broader spectrum of disability groups, including people with albinism, the deaf, the visually impaired and others requiring mobility and social support.

Government officials present at the event reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to inclusive development. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the outreach as a critical platform for advocacy and collaboration, aligning with the state government’s pledge to ensure that no resident is left behind.

He said the state, through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, continues to coordinate programmes targeted at people living with disabilities while calling for stronger partnerships with private organisations and civil society groups.

According to him, while government support remains essential, collaboration is key to scaling impact, noting that assistance could range from financial backing to policy support and access to infrastructure that enables organisations to expand their reach.

Also speaking, a member of the foundation’s board of trustees, Folake Okunubi, said the outreach was designed not only to raise funds but also to challenge societal perceptions about disability.

She stressed the need for inclusive infrastructure, education and social systems, noting that many children with limb loss face stigma and barriers to schooling, often resulting in isolation. Creating an enabling environment, she said, would allow beneficiaries described by the foundation as “champions” to fully participate in society and access economic opportunities.

One of the beneficiaries, Michael Alan, a 14-year-old participant in the walk, said the programme had helped raise awareness and demonstrate that people living with disabilities can perform at the same level as others.

He said the initiative had not only provided support but also challenged perceptions, adding that increased awareness and sustained empowerment programmes would enable more children with disabilities to live independently and contribute meaningfully to society.