The parent of a learner with a disability in Northeast Nigeria said: “When I first heard about the [Opportunities to Learn] project, I was overjoyed and hopeful that my son has finally gotten the opportunity to learn. When he joined this program, he could not read or write, but now, he can read and write. With this break in his academic journey, he will forget everything he has learned. It breaks my heart to see him at home again.”
Date: 2/26
Region: Africa
Country: Nigeria
Topic: Education, Gender Equality & Inclusion
Policy Lens: Moral Leadership
Entry Type: Field Observation
Additional Context: The Opportunities to Learn activity expanded access to quality, inclusive education for children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the region who had missed years of schooling due to conflict. According to Inclusive Development Partners, or IDP, the termination of this program means that children with disabilities continue to be segregated from their peers, assistive technologies are not widely available, and community awareness efforts have stopped.
This quote is attributed to Faith Opara, a mother of a learner with a disability in the Opportunities to Learn program.
Devex Researcher Note: As of March 2026, Opportunities to Learn has remained closed and no other funder has stepped in, according to a conversation with IDP.
Source: IDP