CHAPTER 2: Special Education in Nigeria: Shifting Paradigms

This chapter proposes a new dimension in societal attitudes and government policies on special education in Nigeria. Providing a historical background to Nigerian politics, the article argues that in theory Nigeria is a democracy, but it has hardly had the opportunity to enjoy the totality of functional democratic practices due to sporadic interruptions of military dictatorship. Therefore, in addition to the well-known lackadaisical attitude of the colonial administrators to purposeful education in the country, the unstable democracy has also perpetuated an unfriendly political atmosphere towards education generally, and special education particularly. Compounding the socio-political dilemma are societal attitudes, cultural beliefs, negative perceptions, lack of funding, poor teacher education and teacher preparation, as well as a lack of significant viable legal mandate for the promotion and support of special education in Nigeria. To this end, the chapter proposes intentional and proactive policies that the government of Nigeria must embark upon so as to shift from the paradigm of passivity towards the recognition and promotion of special education to one of active engagement and deliberate support for its people with disabilities, educating them with seriousness of purpose.