Nigerians With Spina Bifida Seek Promised Protections

For Nigerians with spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBH), getting an education, finding affordable healthcare, or simply traveling across town can be difficult. Although Nigeria has laws protecting the rights of disabled people, discrimination and inaccessible services remain widespread.

Afolabi Fajemilo and his wife experienced some of these challenges while seeking care for their son, Festus. They went on to establish the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, which supports families and advocates for the rights of people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Their experiences are among several featured in this short documentary about the barriers disabled Nigerians continue to face and their efforts to secure the rights and protections guaranteed under Nigerian law.

“Giving up is not an option because you are not a flaw. You are not a flaw,” says Aliya Yusuf, who had to forfeit her college admission because of the lack of accessible housing on campus. “The system that is not including you is the flaw.”

Edited by Hannah Escandon

Production assistance by Kunle Fayiga

Special thanks to FFF and SBHAN for generously sharing information that helped inform this documentary.

Access this film with audio descriptions.