Foundation earmarks N145m for parents of children with special needs

The Oyetty Foundation for Special Parents has announced plans to support and empower parents of children with special needs in Nigeria with N145 million this year.

This came after the organisation revealed that it spent approximately N48.5 million in 2024 to assist families nationwide.

The founder, Oyetola Akande, made the announcement during a gathering for parents and partners to celebrate the foundation’s second anniversary in Lagos.

She explained that the funds will help beneficiaries start businesses, pay rent, acquire skills, and support their children’s education.

Akande stressed that this empowerment initiative aims to help parents become self-reliant, enabling them to provide better care for their children. “We always urge parents to take care of themselves, and with the support we provide, they will be better equipped to care for their children. So far, we have helped about 35 parents establish themselves,” she said.

Moreover, Akande called upon Nigerians to stop stigmatising children with disabilities, highlighting that many of these children go on to become Olympians and Paralympians, winning gold medals and making significant contributions to the world.

Olusegun Akande, the founder’s husband, stated that the foundation plans to triple the N48.5 million spent last year in 2025. He expressed pride in the foundation’s achievements over the past two years and its positive impact on families. He added that the stigma surrounding special needs in Nigeria discourages families from seeking help, saying, “We encourage them to step out, engage, and access the right support.”

The founder added, “We provide psychological, financial, business, and care support to parents of children with special needs. These parents need to feel fulfilled to avoid seeing their children as burdens. Society must also stop stigmatising children with special needs.”

One of the beneficiaries, Simons Faloge, a mother of a nine-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, commended the foundation’s efforts. She highlighted the importance of parents understanding that raising a child with special needs is not the end of the world.

Faloge urged parents to love their children, view unique challenges as opportunities, and thrive in their endeavours. She encouraged parents to speak up and seek help when needed while praising the Oyetty Foundation as a community offering genuine support to those in need.

She also called on more individuals and organisations to come together to create a brighter future for families of children with special needs.