Families in Nigeria are confronting widespread stigma and superstition surrounding disabilities, with parents often facing immense pressure and isolation. Despite deeply entrenched societal attitudes, a growing movement is emerging to champion the rights and inclusion of children with conditions such as Down's syndrome and cerebral palsy, offering hope and support where little existed before.
Fatima Muhammad, a mother of six, experienced this firsthand after her son, Alameen, was born with Down's syndrome in 2015. She endured suggestions to abandon or harm her child, and daily life became a struggle against public stares and insults. Alameen, who is now learning basic sign language and communicates through gestures, thrives at home but faces a different reality outside. This experience is not unique; a 2024 national assessment of disability inclusion highlighted systemic barriers that have long limited the participation of people with disabilities in Nigerian national life.
Earlier this year, Muhammad joined over 100 individuals in Jos, Plateau State, for a public march to mark World Down Syndrome Day. This event, a rare public demonstration for inclusion in the region, brought together families, government officials, doctors, and nutritionists, all advocating for awareness over stigma. Muhammad expressed her joy at seeing people unite to challenge the pervasive negative perceptions.
Leading this charge is Safiya Atta Mansoor, 60, whose life was transformed after her niece, Naseerah, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy eleven years ago. Witnessing the financial and social struggles her family faced, particularly in securing education and care for Naseerah, galvanised Mansoor. Upon retiring as a finance director, she established the GlowingStar Empowerment Initiative and Development in March 2025. This organisation provides crucial support for children with Down's syndrome and other neurodevelopmental conditions, creating safe spaces for families to connect and discuss their challenges without fear.
GlowingStar's WhatsApp community has become a vital peer network for many caregivers, including Muhammad, who now actively participates in radio and television programmes alongside Mansoor. Together, they work to debunk myths surrounding disability and educate the public. Mansoor also collaborates with donors to fund individual rehabilitation plans, covering essential services such as physiotherapy, education, speech therapy, and nutritional support, acknowledging the particular difficulty in securing funding for neurodevelopmental conditions due to the often slow and hard-to-measure progress.