They are mostly hidden by their parents and care-givers. They are kept away from the rest of the world. They are isolated, abandoned and mostly neglected; oftentimes, nobody even knows they exist at all. They are the IDD children!
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) refer to a group of conditions characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning (such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving) and adaptive behaviors, which cover every day social and practical skills. These conditions often begin very early in life and can include disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
In the bustling Benin City metropolis, a parent’s voice rises in advocacy above the silence that too often surrounds children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With both pain and conviction, Mr. Wisdom Ekuase, the Chairman, Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN) Edo State chapter, reflects: “In western world, people believe so much in special children. They are not curses but blessings. “Children are a heritage from the LORD (Psalm 127:3)” is a profound biblical declaration that children are divine gifts, rewards, and entrusted blessings from God.”
“When I was growing up,” Mr. Ekuase earlier lamented, “I was shown the blind—now visually impaired, the deaf—now hearing impaired, the dumb—now speech impaired, and those lame or crippled—now physically impaired. I have always asked: where does the intellectually impaired fall under? Society refers to them as imbeciles. Some parents see them as witches or wizards; others blame them for their family misfortune… Please, let’s educate society together.”
AS a parent with two special needs children he fights daily to cater for and give a bright future to, the pain of seeing his two special needs children treated like sub-humans by some members of the public can be heartbreaking and traumatizing. But Mr. Ekuase is not alone in this counterculture. Yes, his testimony is not an isolated cry, but is a mirror reflecting a deep societal gap in understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals living with intellectual and Developmental disabilities (IDD) in Nigeria.
Organizations like the Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN) Edo State chapter has risen to the occasion of amplifying the voices of special needs children in the State, especially the IDD children who are grossly neglected, hidden by their parents and, in some cases, allegedly killed by their frustrated parents. In Edo State, for example, the association is fighting to get the Government’s attention to the mounting needs of IDD children and adults, as well as rally together more parents and care-givers of IDD persons for better welfare and more inclusiveness in the scheme of things in society.
According to Mr. Onome Otueroro, the National Secretary of Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN), some of the key challenges faced by children with intellectual developmental disabilities are lack of empathy and love from most members of the society. He sued for parents of children with intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD), teachers, caregivers and other stakeholders to come together and build a strong force and a united voice for IDD children.
Mr. Otueroro explained: “In the Persons With Disability (PWD) world, the persons with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are the most relegated clusters. We have different clusters in the PWD world -we have the visually impaired; the physically challenged – mean those that walk with crutches and wheelchairs; the hearing impaired; the spinal cord; the albinism; the dwarf; and other clusters in the PWD world.”
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that about 1 in 6 people live with some form of disability, and a significant proportion of these are intellectual or developmental in nature. In Nigeria, there are very limited reliable national data on IDD children, but the United Nations Children’s Fund suggests that millions of children live with disabilities, many of whom are excluded from education, healthcare, and social participation.
The Nigerian Reality:
Between Ignorance and Stigma: Despite global progress in disability rights and inclusion, Nigeria still grapples with deeply entrenched cultural beliefs and misconceptions about IDD. In many communities, children with intellectual disabilities are misunderstood—often labeled with derogatory terms or attributed to supernatural causes.
Many Government ministries and agencies charged with the duties of looking into the affairs of the PWDs community, hardly know about the IDD person cluster within the PWDs. A vivid example was observed during a recent courtesy visit to one of the ministries in Edo State by representatives of the AIDDN Edo State chapter sometime in 2025. The Permanent Secretary, who represented the Commissioner during the visit, requested the AIDDN visitors to kindly explain what the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities cluster was all about as the name was totally strange to them at the Ministry.
A 2021 report by Human Rights Watch highlighted that children with disabilities in Nigeria frequently face discrimination, neglect, and even abuse. Some are hidden away by families due to shame, while others are denied access to basic services. IDD children are seen not as individuals with potential, but as burdens or omens. This mindset has far-reaching consequences, including educational exclusion; healthcare disparities; economic marginalization; social insecurity and loneliness to mention just a few.
IDD children are helpless; they cannot speak for themselves. Parents, siblings, neighbours, care-givers/people, have to speak up for them for their plights to gain some attention from those who should do something about their challenges.
Why can’t things be different?
According to UNESCO, children with disabilities are among the least likely to attend school in Nigeria. When they do, they often face bullying, lack of trained teachers, and inaccessible learning environments. Many healthcare providers lack training in managing IDD, leading to misdiagnosis or neglect. Early intervention, which is very critical for improving outcomes, is rarely available. In Nigeria, even adults with IDD cannot find employment due to stigma and lack of vocational support, perpetuating cycles of poverty against these PWD minority communities.
In contrast, many Western societies have made significant strides in recognizing and supporting individuals with IDD. Through inclusive education, community-based services, and legal protections, these societies have begun to shift from a deficit-based view to a strength-based perspective.
Mr. Ekuase’s assertion that “they are not a cause but blessings” echoes a growing global understanding within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): individuals with IDD bring unique perspectives, talents, and contributions to society, and we should accept and support them in the true spirit of genuine love, empathy, equity and inclusiveness.
Scientific studies have shown that inclusive environments benefit not only individuals with disabilities but society as a whole. Diverse classrooms foster empathy, creativity, and collaboration. Workplaces that embrace neurodiversity report higher innovation and employee engagement. Given the right environment and support, persons with disabilities can excel in every aspect of life like other human beings are without disabilities. God made everyone equal!
In Nigeria, this shift in perception is urgently needed. It begins with language—moving away from derogatory labels to respectful, person-first terminology. It continues with education—both formal and informal—and is sustained through policy and practice.
Faith, Culture, and Advocacy: A Powerful Alliance:
The parent’s invocation of Psalm 127:3—“Children are a heritage from the LORD”—is particularly significant in a deeply religious society like Nigeria. Faith can be a powerful tool for inclusion when aligned with compassion and understanding. Religious institutions—churches, mosques, and traditional centers—can play a transformative role by promoting love, empathy, and inclusive teachings that affirm the dignity of all individuals; providing support networks for families; challenging harmful beliefs and practices against IDD children and their counterparts in the PWD community.
Nigeria has made some legislative progress with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018. This law guarantees equal rights and access to education, healthcare, and public services for persons with disabilities.
However, implementation remains a major challenge. Many states have yet to domesticate the law, and enforcement mechanisms are weak. Funding for disability services is limited, and data collection is inadequate.
To bridge this gap, stakeholders and policy makers must prioritize data-driven planning: accurate data on IDD prevalence and needs, Capacity building training for teachers, healthcare workers, and social service providers, therapists, etc. must be mainstreamed into all policy plans and budgetary allocations for special needs children in Nigeria. Inclusive infrastructure development evidenced by accessible and inclusive schools, clinics, and public spaces should be given priority by the federal, state and local governments.
To combat stigma and promote inclusion, public awareness campaigns and focus group engagements should be intensified. Families and communities can lead the change. Across Nigeria, families of children with IDD are forming support groups, sharing experiences, and advocating for change. These grassroots movements are crucial in building a more inclusive society.
In Benin City and beyond, enlightened parents are no longer hiding their children—they are celebrating them. They are demanding better services, inclusive education, and societal acceptance. The Edo State chapter of the Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN) is turning the table downside- up, one step at a time, courtesy of a new collaborative agenda with the leadership of the Edo State Disabilities Commission headed by Honourable Theophilus Egbodion. The AIDDN’s message is clear: our children are not invisible. They are not burdens. They are blessings.
The journey toward inclusion for IDD children and PWDs in general is not the responsibility of a few, but a collective mandate. Every Nigerian has a role to play: Educators must embrace inclusive teaching practices. Our healthcare providers must offer compassionate, informed care. Policy makers must enforce and expand disability rights. The Media must tell stories that harmonize, not stigmatize. Communities must open their hearts and minds. Government must show responsibility by sharing the costs of medical care with the parents of IDD children, thereby reducing their financial burdens. Everybody must do something to change the narrative.
As Mr. Wisdom Ekuase urges, “Please let’s educate society together.” This shouldn’t just be a statement—let it be a movement.
We are at a crossroads. One path leads to continued marginalization of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The other leads to a society that recognizes their inherent worth, nurtures their potential, and celebrates their contributions.
The choice is ours! Let us choose empathy over ignorance, inclusion over exclusion, and action over apathy, because every child, regardless of ability, is indeed a heritage from the Lord.
