LASODA, Lawyers With Disabilities Move To Deepen Disability Rights Collaboration In Lagos

LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria have signaled a new phase of cooperation to strengthen disability advocacy, improve accessibility and promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities across Lagos State.  

The commitment emerged during a recent working visit by a delegation of the Association to LASODA’s headquarters in Lagos.

The delegation was led by the Association’s President, Tosan Ene, Esq., who met with the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal.  

Ene explained that the visit was intended to identify practical areas where the two institutions can work together to advance the participation and protection of persons with disabilities in the State.

According to Ene, the proposed partnership will give special attention to advocacy, accessibility and legal empowerment.  

He noted that the Association hopes to draw on the professional experience of lawyers with disabilities and the institutional mandate of LASODA to challenge legal, physical and social barriers that still limit full inclusion in Lagos.

In her remarks, LASODA General Manager, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal, briefed the visiting team on key programmes the Agency is currently implementing to promote disability inclusion.  

She emphasized LASODA’s ongoing work in advocacy and accessibility, including engagement with government agencies and service providers across the State.

Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted LASODA’s collaboration with the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) on the introduction of special number plates for persons with disabilities and their caregivers.  

She explained that the measure is designed to ensure easier identification of vehicles used by persons with disabilities and to improve their access to essential services.

The General Manager also drew attention to LASODA’s accessibility checklists, public sensitization campaigns and other interventions that help identify and address environmental and institutional barriers facing persons with disabilities.  

She said these efforts are part of a broader push to build a more inclusive Lagos where persons with disabilities can move, work and participate in public life with dignity.

Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal assured the Association of LASODA’s readiness to enter into a formal partnership.  

She stressed that the Agency remains open to strategic collaborations that will strengthen disability advocacy and safeguard the rights, welfare and full participation of persons with disabilities across the State.

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to outline concrete areas of joint work.  

The Association pledged to submit a detailed proposal to LASODA, setting out specific activities and initiatives for the Agency’s review and possible implementation.

Present at the meeting were Association members Gbelupe Joseph, Esq.; Lukman Salami, Esq.; Mariah Kazeem, Esq.; and Eno Agofure, Esq., alongside the Head of LASODA’s Legal Department, Babatunde Safiu, Esq.