KWASU slashes tuition fees by N100,000 for students with disabilities

Kwara State University, KWASU, has announced a reduction of N100,000 in tuition fees for students with disabilities.

The institution has also approved a N50,000 monthly allowance for staff members with disabilities.

Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, the university’s vice-chancellor, shared these developments at an event celebrating the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The event was organized by KWASU’s Disability Support Office and the Department of Special Education.

Jimoh explained that these initiatives aim to foster inclusivity and support for individuals with disabilities, affirming that the university’s leadership believes in equal participation for all, regardless of their abilities.

“Let us remember that our gathering here is more than a ceremony—it is a reminder of our collective responsibility to advocate for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities,” he said.

Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh reiterated KWASU’s commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment where everyone in the university community is encouraged to engage fully in campus life.

He outlined various initiatives to enhance the experience of students and staff with disabilities, including a N100,000 school fee reduction for students with disabilities, a N50,000 monthly allowance for staff with disabilities, and the expansion of job opportunities for sign language interpreters.

He also highlighted the representation of students with disabilities in the student union and the establishment of a Disability Support Office.

Professor Olubukola Dada, who coordinated the event and serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), noted that the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, IDPD, theme called for collaborative efforts to create an inclusive society.

Dada emphasized that fostering inclusion requires cooperation with people living with disabilities to shape policies that promote equality.

Guest speaker Professor Julius Ademokoya from the University of Ibadan stressed the importance of integrating persons with disabilities, PWDs, into all sectors of society, including social, political, and economic domains.

He cited United Nations statistics showing that one in six individuals in developing countries like Nigeria has significant disabilities. Ademokoya called for innovative solutions to remove socio-cultural barriers and enhance PWDs’ contributions to the economy.