The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has continued to strengthen national and state-level structures aimed at advancing the rights, inclusion, and well-being of Persons with Albinism (PWAs). This commitment was reaffirmed during a keynote presentation delivered by Onah Adeiyi, National General Secretary of AAN, at a strategic engagement session held with stakeholders in Kwara State on Saturday, the 6th of December, 2025.
Addressing State Chairmen, members of the National Executive Council, the Technical Team, and the Kwara State Albinism Community, Mr. Adeiyi emphasized the critical importance of state-level action in achieving Nigeria’s commitments made earlier this year at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 in Germany. He noted that while national declarations signal progress, real impact is achieved only when those commitments translate into concrete action at the state and community levels. Nigeria’s GDS 2025 commitments highlight inclusive education, improved healthcare—particularly in dermatology and ophthalmology protection from climate-related vulnerabilities, and enhanced collaboration between government institutions, OPDs, and civil society. According to Adeiyi, the Kwara State engagement was strategically designed to connect these national pledges with local realities, thereby strengthening implementation and fostering accountability across Ministries of Education, Health, Environment, and Social Development.
He explained that state-level engagement enables AAN to assess interventions, review progress, identify implementation gaps, and design targeted strategies that support PWAs through responsive policies and programs. This statewide collaboration, he said, is essential for ensuring that PWAs have access to quality education, timely healthcare services, and protection from climate risks, particularly prolonged sun exposure and heat waves.
On education, Adeiyi emphasized the need for inclusive classroom practices, teacher training, adaptive learning materials, and school-level monitoring to ensure that learners with albinism experience equitable and supportive learning environments. He underscored that these interventions turn GDS commitments into lived realities for children with albinism across Nigerian schools.
In the health sector, he highlighted ongoing collaborations with state health authorities to decentralize essential services, strengthen referral systems, and promote preventive care. By improving access to dermatology and ophthalmology services, AAN aims to address long-standing barriers PWAs face in receiving sustainable and affordable care. Climate resilience also featured prominently in his presentation. Adeiyi noted that PWAs are disproportionately affected by UV radiation and environmental changes, emphasizing the need for state-led policies that integrate climate vulnerability considerations into public health and environmental programs. He advocated for access to sun-protective equipment, awareness campaigns, and the inclusion of PWAs in climate adaptation planning.
The session provided a platform for analyzing state-level reports, assessing progress, and outlining proactive measures to guide AAN’s next steps. Adeiyi acknowledged the critical role of State Chairmen, National Executives, and Technical Team members in documenting impact, identifying challenges, and ensuring that AAN’s initiatives remain aligned with national and global disability commitments.
In conclusion, he described the strategic engagement as a shared commitment to transforming policy into practice and ensuring that PWAs across Nigeria are empowered, protected, and fully included. He thanked participants for their dedication and reaffirmed AAN’s resolve to build a Nigeria where Persons with Albinism thrive with dignity, opportunity, and equality.
