A Lagos therapy centre that had served children with cerebral palsy and autism for more than a decade was abruptly sealed, leaving 32 youngsters and their families without shelter or care. The eviction, carried out by state authorities in the city’s Ijesha‑Isheri district, has sparked concern among disability advocates, health professionals and human‑rights groups, who warn that the children now face an uncertain future without the specialised support they previously received.
The centre, which operated out of a modest two‑storey building, provided daily physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and educational activities tailored to the needs of children with neuro‑developmental disorders. For 16 years, it had become a lifeline for families who could not afford private clinics or travel long distances to hospitals in Lagos. According to the centre’s director, the sudden closure was ordered without prior notice, and staff were given only a few hours to vacate the premises.
“These children depend on consistent therapy to maintain even the most basic functions,” the director said. “The abrupt eviction not only stripped them of a safe place to receive treatment, it also rendered many of them homeless, exposing them to danger and neglect.” The director estimated that the centre employed twelve therapists and support staff, all of whom were left without employment as a result of the shutdown.
Families of the affected children were taken to a nearby government shelter, where they now share cramped quarters with other displaced residents. While the shelter provides food and basic amenities, it lacks the specialised equipment and trained personnel required for the children’s ongoing therapy. Parents have expressed fear that interruption of treatment could lead to regression in motor skills, speech development and overall health.
Disability rights organisations have condemned the eviction as a breach of both national and international obligations to protect persons with disabilities. The Nigeria Disability Rights Fund (NDRF) issued a statement urging the Lagos State government to immediately relocate the centre to a suitable site and to ensure that the children’s therapeutic regimens are resumed without delay. “The state’s actions disregard the constitutional guarantee of equal access to health services for persons with disabilities,” the statement read.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health confirmed that it had ordered the closure due to alleged violations of building codes and the absence of a valid occupancy permit. However, officials declined to comment on why the centre’s long‑standing operation had not been regularised through the proper licensing channels. A spokesperson noted that the ministry is reviewing the case and will coordinate with relevant agencies to find an alternative location for the therapy services.
Legal experts caution that the families may have recourse through the courts, pointing to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which Nigeria is a signatory. “If the eviction was carried out without due process, the affected parties could seek injunctive relief and compensation for the disruption of essential health services,” said a Lagos‑based attorney who specialises in disability law.
The incident highlights broader challenges faced by Nigeria’s disability sector, including limited funding, inadequate infrastructure and inconsistent enforcement of regulations governing specialised care facilities. Advocacy groups have called for a comprehensive review of policies to ensure that centres providing essential services are protected from arbitrary displacement.
As the children remain in temporary accommodation, NGOs are mobilising resources to supply portable therapy kits and to organise volunteer therapists who can deliver home‑based sessions. The hope is that, while a permanent solution is pursued, the immediate needs of the young patients are not neglected.
The situation remains fluid, with the Lagos government expected to announce its next steps within the coming days. Stakeholders agree that timely resolution is critical to prevent long‑term harm to a vulnerable group whose health and development depend on uninterrupted, specialised care.
