The July edition of the Monthly Seminar Series of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos, cast a spotlight on a deeply human and socially relevant topic; the plight of children with special needs and how parental awareness influences their experiences and protection.
Titled “Victimization of Children with Special Needs, Parental Knowledge and Responses in Southwest Nigeria: Counseling Implications,” the elucidating session took place on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Red Brick Building, DLI Complex, UNILAG, Akoka. The seminar featured a seasoned scholar and counselor, Dr. Adeduni O. Adegun who led attendees into an in-depth exploration of the silent struggles of special needs children in Nigeria.
In her presentation, Dr. Adegun examined various forms of victimization i.e physical, emotional, and social that children with special needs are often subjected to within schools, communities, and even their homes. She emphasized that the level of parental knowledge and responsiveness plays a pivotal role in either amplifying or mitigating these harms.
Quoting findings from her research across Southwest Nigeria, she revealed that many parents lack sufficient understanding of their children’s special needs conditions, which often results in inadequate care, delayed interventions, and silence in the face of systemic abuse.
Her words “When parents are empowered with knowledge, they become advocates. But when they are uninformed, these children are left vulnerable, she asserted, stressing the counseling implications for families, teachers, and community caregivers”.
Dr. Adegun, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Institute’s Counseling Unit, proposed an integrated counseling model that engages schools, families, and community-based support systems as collaborative partners in safeguarding the well-being of children with special needs. Her presentation ignited a robust discussion among participants, who shared personal stories, professional observations, and practical strategies for supporting children with special needs in both rural and urban contexts.
Earlier, the Director of the Distance Learning Institute, Prof. Risikat Oladoyin Dauda, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Academics), Dr. Abosede Ebahbhi delivered the opening remarks.
She reaffirmed DLI’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive, research-driven dialogue that not only enriches academic inquiry but also responds to pressing societal issues. According to her, the monthly seminar series is a vital platform for amplifying scholarly voices, encouraging evidence-based discourse, and inspiring actionable change within and beyond the university community.
She also acknowledged the role of the Institute’s leadership and staff in sustaining the momentum of the seminar series and encouraged participants to engage deeply with the discussion.
Reports: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Samuel O. Dosunmu
