In a country brimming with vibrant culture and extraordinary resilience, there remains a silent crisis—Children with disabilities in Nigeria are often left behind, hidden away, or denied the dignity of inclusion.
For one Nigerian family, however, this heartbreaking reality has become a powerful catalyst for change.
A Story Born from Heartbreak
The story begins with Mrs. Olufunke Adeloye, Chief Responsibility Officer for OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach. Adeloye’s daughter, Abigail, was medically mismanaged in Nigeria at just 18 months old, leading to a brain injury. Abigail later found better care in the United Kingdom, where she lived until the age of 16 before passing on.
Her parents’ pain, however, has transformed into a mission to ensure that no other family endures such anguish in silence.
A Vision of Flourishing Hope
Drawing inspiration from the Biblical promise of an abundant life (John 10:10b), OAKonsult is turning that personal pain into a national gainful purpose: building Nigeria’s first-of-its-kind disability support centre, OAK Centre Prime.
Situated on 35 acres of land in Oolo Town, Ogbomoso, Oyo State—donated by the Oolo community—OAK Centre Prime is more than bricks and mortar. It represents a movement to change how disability is perceived and supported in Nigeria.
A Sanctuary for Every Child
OAK Centre Prime will accommodate at least 250 children and young people with disabilities, providing holistic care that addresses their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. An additional 1,000 non-residential children will benefit from the centre’s services each year.
The facility will provide a comprehensive range of services, combining therapies and rehabilitation such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy to support individuals in their recovery and development.
It will also offer special education programmes designed with personalized learning plans tailored to each child’s unique abilities, ensuring they receive the guidance they need. Families in need of respite care will find relief and support, allowing them moments of rest while their loved ones are cared for in a nurturing environment.
Additionally, the facility will create over 1,500 jobs, offering employment opportunities that include caregiver training and contributing to the growth of local economies. Beyond practical support, it will foster spiritual and emotional well-being, rooted in Christian values, while remaining open to anyone in search of care and compassion.
For Adeloye, this mission is a moral imperative. “This is not just a good-to-have; it is a must-have,” she says. “We must establish a structured, world-class system that ensures children with disabilities receive the care they deserve.”
Changing the Narrative
Today, an estimated 1 in 10 Nigerian children lives with a disability, but fewer than 10% attend school. Over 90% face stigma, isolation, and neglect. OAK Centre Prime aims to rewrite this story—one where no child is seen as worthless or left to struggle alone.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the centre, held in April 2025, was a testament to the power of community and collaboration.
Traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, and members of the public gathered to witness history in the making.The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, praised the Oolo community for gifting the land, calling on other traditional leaders to protect community resources for the common good.
Oba Micheal Oyegbami, the Oololo of Oolo, underscored the urgency of the project, urging stakeholders not to let Abigail’s passing be in vain.
A Call for Collective Action
The journey is underway, but Adeloye and her team still need support to bring their vision to completion. To finalize Phase 2 of the centre, OAKonsult is working to raise ₦115 million (£65,000).
Everyone can play a role in making this dream a reality—whether by donating to help bring the vision to life, sharing the story to raise awareness, or partnering as businesses, NGOs, or faith-based groups to strengthen the impact.
“We can no longer keep quiet for them now,” Adeloye affirms. “They belong. And each one of them (special children), even though they might not be able to do things like we know how to do normally or typically. But that doesn’t mean they cannot do it differently.
“They can do so much differently, and that is the focus of this. And that is why we want to have the OAK Centre Prime so that we can have an institution that can take care of children and young people with disabilities with dignity, with love, with nurture.”
“And then with all the different equipment and things, that infrastructure that they need to support them. To make them able, wherever they are disabled. That is why we want to do this,” she added.
A National Model
OAK Centre Prime is set to become a model for disability care in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. It challenges policymakers and society to reimagine what’s possible for children with special needs.
As Nigeria grapples with poverty, stigma, and under-resourced systems, OAK Centre Prime stands as a testament to faith, determination, and the transformative power of purpose.
For the Adeloye family and the many families they represent, Abigail’s story has become a legacy—one that will echo through generations and prove that even from pain, a nation can be healed.
A Call To Action:
Donate Today
UK: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/OAKonsult
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/OAKCentrePrimeNgn
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