Kwara Student Union leaders trained on disability inclusion

Thirty student union leaders from six tertiary institutions across Kwara State have received training on disability inclusion, inclusive leadership and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in student union governance.

The training, themed:  “Advocating for Disability Inclusion in Student Unions in Kwara State,” held at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, was organised as part of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF)-supported project, led by Habeeb Opeyemi Daranijo.

The training brought together five representatives each from Kwara State University, Kwara State Polytechnic, University of Ilorin, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Ojaja University and Kwara State College of Health Sciences, creating a platform for student leaders from different institutions to learn, share experiences and explore practical approaches to building more inclusive student union structures.

The initiative is supported by the NYFF as part of efforts to strengthen youth-led solutions and promote inclusive participation in governance and civic spaces.

Declaring the training open, Daranijo emphasised the importance of ensuring that student unionism reflects the diversity of the student population and provides opportunities for every student, including persons with disabilities, to participate in leadership and decision-making.

He noted that disability inclusion should go beyond representation and become an integral part of student union policies, structures and activities.

The training was facilitated by Mr Salaudeen Ishola Abdullahi and Mr Dauda Kamal, who engaged participants on key issues surrounding disability inclusion and inclusive student leadership.

Discussions covered areas including inclusive leadership, disability rights, accessibility, representation, participation, disability etiquette and advocacy strategies. Participants were also encouraged to examine barriers that may prevent students with disabilities from participating fully in student union activities and to identify practical steps for addressing such barriers within their respective institutions.

The training further provided an opportunity for participants to consider the role of student union leaders as advocates for equality, accessibility and participation. Emphasis was placed on the need for student leaders to create environments where persons with disabilities can contribute to student governance without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.

The initiative builds on ongoing advocacy engagements with student union and institutional stakeholders across Kwara State. Prior engagements have included discussions with student leaders and relevant stakeholders at institutions such as Kwara State University, University of Ilorin and Kwara State Polytechnic, with the broader objective of advancing disability inclusion within student governance.

A major focus of the project is to encourage student unions to recognise disability inclusion as an institutional responsibility rather than an occasional welfare concern. Through advocacy, capacity-building and stakeholder engagement, the project seeks to promote sustainable mechanisms that can improve the participation of persons with disabilities in student leadership and union activities.

The training also provided an opportunity for student leaders to develop a shared understanding of the importance of inclusive governance and the responsibility of student unions to ensure that their activities, structures and decision-making processes are accessible to all students.

ALSO READ: 2027: I won’t abandon governance for campaigns — Tinubu

In his vote of thanks, Anifowoshe Bashir appreciated the facilitators, participating student leaders and stakeholders for their contributions to the training. He also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) for the initiative and the broader effort to advance disability inclusion in student union activities across Kwara State.

The organisers expressed optimism that the participating student leaders would take the lessons from the training back to their respective institutions and contribute to practical changes that strengthen accessibility, representation and participation.

The initiative represents another step in the ongoing advocacy for a student governance system in which persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate, lead and contribute to decisions affecting the student community.