The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and promoting their full participation in the state’s social and economic life.
General Manager Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal dismissed claims that government support for PWDs is merely symbolic, saying LASODA’s interventions are structured to ensure fairness, accountability and broad impact.
Oyetunde-Lawal explained that perceptions of exclusion often arise from a lack of awareness about how beneficiaries are selected. The agency operates mainly through recognised disability clusters across Lagos, which serve as channels for disseminating information and selecting participants for various programmes and partnerships.
“Most of our opportunities are shared through cluster heads. We also ensure that beneficiaries are not repeated within the same year or across consecutive years, so that scarce resources can reach as many people as possible,” she said.
She noted that LASODA cannot reach every individual with a disability in a state as large as Lagos, stressing that membership in a cluster enhances access to support and information. The agency is also improving its digital platforms to strengthen public engagement but warned that opening all opportunities without a framework could overwhelm the system.
“If everything is thrown open without a structure, it will create chaos. The cluster system remains the most effective way to ensure order and fairness,” she said.
Oyetunde-Lawal urged PWDs who are not part of any organised group to seek out relevant communities, noting that shared networks are the fastest way to benefit from collaborations between LASODA, the Lagos State Trust Fund and relevant ministries.
She added that genuine inclusion goes beyond rhetoric, emphasizing that structured participation and community engagement are essential to ensuring that support for PWDs delivers tangible impact.
