By: Joshua Weng Chuwang
Students of the Nigerian Training Centre for the Blind, Ogbomosho, trooped out on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in a protest to express their grievances over the poor condition of the centre and the unhealthy environment they are forced to endure.
In a viral video on social media, the leader of the protest decried the hardship experienced, calling the attention of journalists to the dense thicket of overgrown vegetation and unhygienic living space.
He claimed that the sockets, fans, and other important equipment in their hostels needed repairs, and that an unstable supply of these equipment poses a major challenge to their studentship.
According to the leader of the protest, the management receives a maintenance fee from the Oyo State Government to manage and provide for the students’ necessities, but has failed in its responsibilities to cater to these students.
“Donations keep coming in; they are receiving money from the government, and we understand that the government cannot do it alone.”
“There are even some individuals who have vowed to support us in order to make life easier for us. These people volunteer to give foodstuffs and items. Unfortunately, our eating condition is poor as we struggle to eat healthily.”
The spokesperson of the protesters alleged that the school management collected the sum of one million naira in the just-concluded month.
“We are not blind to the situation going on around us. These people managing the school are now tricking us to pack our things and go home, saying that there is a clash between Muslims and Christians in the community.”
Students of the institution requested buses to convey them from their hostels to the school environment, but despite the buses being provided to the school, they are not being used to transport students.
These students alleged that buses have been donated to the school, but the management does not use them to convey the students. Rather, they are left to shuttle their way to class every day, and most of them end up falling into ditches, getting seriously wounded.
Babalola Ayodeji, a student of the institution, reiterated that Honourable Akinwale Akinwole, the newly appointed Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, popularly known as Wolekanle, made the pledge and donation of buses during his campaign activities in 2023.
“In 2023, when Hon. Wolekanle came to campaign here, we requested those buses. But sadly, the people in charge got the buses and use them for personal trips. We are left to sort ourselves out, and even though there are walking sticks, we are not given.”
In a reaction post to this protest, an X user, @Veronic_TON, says, “This is heartbreaking and a national disgrace. Blind students are crying out, and the government is still looking away? How heartless can leadership in Nigeria be? Instead of stealing public funds and playing politics, why not fix institutions meant for the most vulnerable? Shame on every official allowing this wickedness to continue”.
