Hon. Bankole Advocates Nationwide 75% Tuition Fee Slash for PWDs

Hon. Bankole Advocates Nationwide 75% Tuition Fee Slash for PWDs

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

A member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Leader of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Aare Hon. Tolu Bankole, has commended the management of the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) for approving a 75 percent reduction in all tuition fees and charges for students with disabilities.

He described the move as a landmark decision that reflects empathy, foresight, and compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

Bankole, in a statement on Sunday, praised the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, for his leadership and vision, noting that the policy, which takes immediate effect, also includes free access to e-learning resources for students with disabilities.

“FULAFIA has gone beyond compliance; it has set a new national standard for inclusive education that prioritizes access, equity, and dignity,” he said.

Citing Sections 17 (1) and (2) of the Discrimination Act, Bankole emphasized that every person with a disability has an unfettered right to education without discrimination and that public educational institutions must be inclusive and accessible to all.

He urged the Federal Government to adopt FULAFIA’s policy as a national template and collaborate with the National Assembly to codify it into law for uniform implementation across all federal institutions.

Bankole also called on state governments to enact similar measures through their respective Houses of Assembly in line with the Act, ensuring that education becomes fully accessible for persons with disabilities across Nigeria.

“Education is the foundation of social inclusion. Reducing financial barriers for students with disabilities is not charity—it’s justice, equity, and a constitutional duty,” he added.

He further appealed to both federal and state governments, in partnership with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), to establish functional offices in all 36 states and the FCT to monitor and coordinate inclusion policies effectively.

With over 30 million Nigerians estimated to be living with one form of disability, Bankole said inclusive education must become a national priority to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s journey toward progress and development.

Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued commitment to inclusive governance under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Bankole urged the President to adopt and institutionalize the FULAFIA model nationwide.

“By supporting this educational inclusion policy, the President will strengthen his legacy of fairness, justice, and genuine inclusivity for millions of Nigerians living with disabilities,” he stated.