LAGOS, Nigeria — Thousands of visually impaired people in Nigeria still lack access to rehabilitation, education, assistive technology and employment opportunities, the Federal Nigerian Society for the Blind (FNSB) has said.
The society’s Executive Council Chairman, Arit Tunde-Imoyo, raised the concern during the organisation’s 71st anniversary celebration and Independence Dinner at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos.
She said blindness should not condemn anyone to dependence, exclusion or hopelessness, stressing that people with visual impairments could lead productive and independent lives when given appropriate training, support and opportunities.
According to Tunde-Imoyo, the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate both the organisation’s history and the vision of its founders, who established it in 1955 to empower blind people to develop their abilities and participate meaningfully in society.
Rehabilitation Remains A Major Challenge
Tunde-Imoyo said the society had supported visually impaired people through its Vocational Training Centre, rehabilitation programmes, advocacy and partnerships.
These initiatives help beneficiaries acquire practical skills, build confidence and develop the capacity to live independently.
However, she acknowledged that the organisation’s work had not reached everyone who needed assistance.
She called for stronger partnerships and sustained support to extend rehabilitation, education and employment opportunities to more visually impaired Nigerians.
The society’s position highlights the importance of making services and opportunities accessible to people with visual disabilities, including those who need specialist training and assistive technology to participate in education and work.
FNSB Seeks More Inclusive Employment
The society’s Executive Secretary, Oluwamayowa Oke, said independence should mean more than completing vocational training.
He argued that visually impaired people also needed practical opportunities to secure jobs, generate income and participate fully in society.
Oke said the organisation’s vocational programmes were designed to equip beneficiaries with the skills, confidence and support necessary for independent living.
He urged employers, government institutions and private-sector organisations to work together to expand employment opportunities and improve the inclusion of visually impaired people in the workforce.
Such collaboration, the society said, would help ensure that training translates into sustainable livelihoods rather than leaving graduates without clear pathways to employment.
Skills Training Can Open New Opportunities
Vocational and rehabilitation programmes can help visually impaired people develop skills suited to different occupations and forms of self-employment.
Training in areas such as Braille literacy, computer use, mobility, crafts and music can improve independence and widen access to economic opportunities when supported by appropriate equipment and pathways into work.
The FNSB has previously appealed for support for its training programmes, which cater to visually impaired adolescents and adults. Its vocational offerings are intended to help participants gain the capabilities needed to seek employment or establish businesses.
However, access to training alone cannot remove every barrier. Employers must also consider accessibility, reasonable workplace adjustments and fair recruitment practices when assessing qualified candidates with disabilities.
A Call For Dignity And Equal Opportunity
Tunde-Imoyo urged stakeholders to help the society reach more people and create greater opportunities for visually impaired Nigerians.
The call centres on a wider principle: people should not be excluded from education, work or community life because of visual impairment.
Expanding access to rehabilitation, assistive technology, skills development and inclusive employment could help more people make choices about their lives, earn a living and contribute to their communities.
The anniversary message therefore placed renewed emphasis on moving beyond awareness to practical action that enables visually impaired Nigerians to live with dignity, purpose and independence.
