‘Children with disabilities left out of Nigeria’s budgets’

The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) has raised concern over the near-total exclusion of children with disabilities from Nigeria’s public budgets, warning that the lack of specific, traceable provisions amounts to systemic neglect. Speaking at a media roundtable in Abuja on Monday, organized by The Qualitative Magazine (TQM) with TLMN support, National Director Dr. Sunday Udo […]

The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) has raised concern over the near-total exclusion of children with disabilities from Nigeria’s public budgets, warning that the lack of specific, traceable provisions amounts to systemic neglect.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Abuja on Monday, organized by The Qualitative Magazine (TQM) with TLMN support, National Director Dr. Sunday Udo said a review of federal and state budgets from 2023 to 2025 showed that while budgets make general references to disability, social welfare, health, and education, there are few—if any—budget lines explicitly dedicated to children with disabilities.
“What we found is deeply concerning. Children with disabilities are often assumed to be covered under general programmes, without assurance that funds actually reach them,” he said.
He emphasised that the result is effective exclusion, regardless of policies claiming inclusivity.
Udo noted that children with disabilities face multiple disadvantages, including limited access to education, inadequate healthcare, heightened protection risks, and increased likelihood of lifelong poverty.
“Budgets often treat them as an afterthought, not a priority,” he said, describing the issue as one of equity, accountability, and justice.
He called on journalists to interrogate public spending, asking critical questions: “Where is the money? Who is it meant to reach? And why are children with disabilities still missing from the numbers?”
He urged the Nigerian government to adopt costed, trackable provisions to ensure inclusion.
Chris Agbo, TQM Executive Director, warned that continued invisibility in budgets threatens the rights and futures of millions of children.
“When budgets are silent, services fail; when services fail, rights are denied; and when rights are denied, the future of a generation is at risk,” he said, urging sustained media scrutiny to hold government accountable.