Special education in Nigeria covers schools and centres set up for children with disabilities — autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, visual impairment, dyslexia and other intellectual or physical conditions. This guide lists the leading dedicated schools and centres across the country, with what each one focuses on and how to reach them.
Special Education in Nigeria: Quick Background
Government-run special education in Nigeria began in 1975. Before then, religious and voluntary groups ran the few existing schools — including the School for the Blind in Gindiri (Plateau State) and Wesley School for the Deaf in Surulere, Lagos (founded 1958 with Methodist Church support, now the oldest deaf school in West Africa).
Today the sector is a mix of state-run schools, private special schools, faith-based centres and NGOs. Lagos and Abuja have the deepest concentration of providers, but each geopolitical zone now has at least one specialist school.
Lagos Special Education Schools
Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home
- Address: 1 St. Finbarr’s College Road, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos
- Conditions served: Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities
- Boarding: Yes (the only Lagos State Government special school with boarding)
Founded January 1960 by Mrs E. Modupe Cole as an NGO, taken over by the Lagos State Government in 1979 and renamed after her death in 1980. Admits children from across Nigeria.
Patrick Speech and Languages Centre (PSLC)
- Branches: Ikeja, Ojota and Ajah, Lagos
- Conditions served: Autism Spectrum Disorder (primary focus), related developmental conditions
- Web: pslcautism-ng.org
Founded in 2006 by Mrs Dotun Akande. Nigeria’s first IBCCES-Certified Autism Center. Services include speech therapy, behavioural modification, sensory integration, occupational therapy, vocational training and music therapy. The affiliated Pure Souls Learning Foundation subsidises therapy for low-income families.
Pacific Hall Special School
- Address: 10 Oba Akinjobi Road, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos
- Conditions served: Autism, dyslexia, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, physical disabilities
Part of the Pacific Schools group. Runs day classes with individualised learning plans and inclusion-style mainstream support.
Anthos House
- Address: 1, Platinum Way, Opposite Jakande First Gate, Lekki Phase II, Lagos
- Age range: 10–17+
- Conditions served: Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, mild–moderate learning concerns
- Web: anthoshouse.org
Wesley School for the Deaf
- Address: 30 Ajao Road, Surulere, Lagos
- Conditions served: Hearing impairment
Founded 1958 with backing from the Methodist Church and Mrs Allison Izzet. The Federal Government built the current Surulere premises with boarding facilities in 1962. The oldest deaf school in Nigeria.
RI-CARE Helpmate Service
- Address: Eti-Osa, Lagos
- Conditions served: Learning disabilities
- Web: ricarehelpmate.com
Provides therapeutic care, assistive learning materials and one-on-one coaching for children with learning disabilities.
Marigold Special Needs School
- Address: Alimosho, Lagos
- Web: marigoldspecialschool.com
Day school for children with autism, Down syndrome and other special needs. Runs an inclusive Sunday programme for families.
Bethesda Home for the Blind
- Address: Lagos Mainland, Lagos
- Conditions served: Visual impairment
Long-running home and school caring for visually impaired children and adults.
Abuja Special Education Schools
Centre for Children with Special Needs (CCSN)
- Address: 4 Lake Chad Crescent, Off IBB Way, Maitama, Abuja
- Conditions served: Autism, Down syndrome, learning disabilities
- Web: ccsnabuja.com
NGO operating as a learning support and resource centre, embedded inside a regular school environment.
The Sage School
- Address: Maitama, Abuja
- Programmes: Crèche, nursery, after-school
Curriculum blends British and American systems. Caters to children with mild–moderate learning differences alongside neurotypical peers.
C.A.D.E.T. Academy
- Address: Abuja
- Conditions served: Autism and related developmental disabilities
- Web: cacademy.sch.ng
Comprehensive Autism and Related Disabilities Education and Training. Evidence-based programme combining academic instruction, behavioural therapy and life-skills training.
Hope House Initiative
- Address: Plot 61 Dahiru Sale Street, off Road 622, 6th Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja
- Conditions served: Autism
The Zamarr Institute
- Address: Patrick O. Bokkor Crescent, off Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja
- Founded: 1991
- Programmes: Special needs nursery and primary education
Eagle Mope Foundation
- Address: Gwagwalada, Abuja
- Focus: Orphan care, social education and support for special needs children
Other States
Dayspring Infant and Junior School (Rivers)
- Address: Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Founded: September 2005
- Conditions served: Physical and intellectual disabilities
- Web: dayspringijs.com.ng
Open Doors Special Instructional Centre (Plateau)
- Address: Jos, Plateau State
- Founded: October 1999
- Founder: Joanne Umolu, PhD (retired professor of Special Education)
- Conditions served: Intellectual disabilities, with a focus on faith-based learning
- Web: opendoorsnigeria.org
Comrade David Ofoeyeno School for Special Children (Delta)
- Address: Udu, Delta State
- Conditions served: Children with various physical and cognitive disabilities
Alderstown School for the Deaf (Delta)
- Address: Warri, Delta State
- Founded: 1954
- Age range: 4–12 (elementary)
- Conditions served: Hearing and speech impairment
Early Development, Learning and Care Centre (Oyo)
- Address: Ibadan North East, Oyo State
- Web: earlydlccentre.org
School for the Blind, Gindiri (Plateau)
- Address: Gindiri, Plateau State
- Conditions served: Visual impairment
One of Nigeria’s oldest special schools. Started by Christian missionaries before independence.
Disability-Specific Foundations and Networks
Benola — A Cerebral Palsy Initiative
- Founded: February 2013
- Founders: AVM Femi Gbadebo (Rtd) OFR and Alaba Gbadebo
- Web: benola.org
Connects families affected by cerebral palsy with therapists, educators and support services. Runs awareness campaigns and equips caregivers.
Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN)
Registered November 1994. Supports children and adults with sickle cell disease through clinics, counselling and education subsidies.
African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN)
- Address: 43 Lumumba Street, New Haven, Enugu State
- Founded: 1986 in Enugu (first Child Labour Conference)
Pan-African child welfare network with a Nigerian chapter that works on protection and education for vulnerable children, including those with disabilities.
How to Choose a Special Education School
- Match the diagnosis to the speciality. Patrick Speech and CCSN are autism-led; Wesley and Alderstown are deaf-focused; Bethesda and the Gindiri school serve the visually impaired.
- Visit twice. Once announced, once unannounced. Watch how staff handle a meltdown or transition.
- Check the staff-to-pupil ratio. One adult per three to five children is the working benchmark for moderate-to-severe needs.
- Ask for the Individualised Education Plan (IEP) template. Any serious special school will share one.
- Confirm therapy access. Speech, occupational and behavioural therapy should either be in-house or on a documented referral pathway.
- Get the fee structure in writing. Special education fees vary widely — from subsidised state placements to ₦2 million+ a term at private centres in Lagos and Abuja.
- Talk to current parents. The Lagos and Abuja special-needs parent communities are tight-knit and candid about which schools deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special education?
Education designed for children whose physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional or developmental differences mean they cannot fully learn in a mainstream classroom without adapted support. It includes one-on-one instruction, assistive technology, therapy and modified curriculum.
Are special schools in Nigeria free?
A small number of state-government schools — Modupe Cole, Wesley School for the Deaf, the Gindiri School for the Blind — are heavily subsidised or free. Most private special schools charge fees in the ₦300,000–₦2,000,000 per term range, with the highest tier in Lagos and Abuja.
What conditions do Nigerian special schools cover?
The most commonly served are autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, dyslexia, ADHD, hearing impairment and visual impairment. A handful of schools specialise in sickle cell support, speech delay and motor disabilities.
Can a child with autism attend a regular Nigerian school?
Yes, when the school runs an inclusion programme with a teaching aide and the child’s needs are mild to moderate. CCSN in Abuja and a few Lagos private schools (Greensprings, Atlantic Hall, Meadow Hall) operate inclusion units. Children with severe support needs typically do better in dedicated special schools.
What is the oldest special school in Nigeria?
Wesley School for the Deaf in Surulere, Lagos (founded 1958) is the oldest deaf school. Alderstown in Warri (founded 1954) is also among the earliest. The School for the Blind in Gindiri pre-dates national independence.
Does the Nigerian government provide allowances for children with disabilities?
The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 set up the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Implementation is uneven across states. Lagos State runs an Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) that provides limited stipends and assistive devices.
How do I get an autism diagnosis in Nigeria?
Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals (Yaba in Lagos, Aro in Abeokuta, Calabar, Maiduguri) and university teaching hospitals run developmental assessment clinics. Private options include the Children’s Developmental Centre and PSLC’s diagnostic arm in Lagos.
Are there scholarships for special needs students in Nigeria?
Yes, on a small scale. PSLC’s Pure Souls Learning Foundation, the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, the Cerebral Palsy Centre Lagos and individual school bursaries cover some fees. Federal government scholarships specifically for disability are rare; most support comes from NGOs and faith-based donors.
What is the difference between a special school and an inclusive school?
A special school enrols only children with disabilities and runs a fully adapted curriculum. An inclusive school enrols both neurotypical children and children with disabilities, with the disabled children supported by aides and adapted lesson plans inside mainstream classrooms.
How do I find more special schools in my state?
Contact your state’s Ministry of Education special education unit, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) state chapter, and parent groups on Facebook (Special Mothers Project, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria community).