Nigeria’s special needs education sector spans over 1,177 full-fledged special schools at nursery, primary, and secondary levels, alongside hundreds of private and NGO-run centres. This article lists the 15 best special needs schools in Nigeria, covering their locations, specialisations, and available fee information.Actress Mia Farrow dances with handicapped children during her visit in Lagos. Photo: Pius Utomi Ekpei (modified by author) Source: UGCTABLE OF CONTENTSKey takeawaysBackground: special needs education in NigeriaThe 15 best special needs schools in Nigeria1. Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home/School — Lagos2.
Anthos House — Lekki, Lagos3. Patrick Speech and Languages Centre — Ikeja, Lagos4. C.A.D.E.T. Academy — Maitama, Abuja5.
The Zamarr Institute — Abuja6. Centre for Children with Special Needs (CCSN) — Maitama, Abuja7. Royal School of Education Therapy Foundation — Gwarinpa, Abuja8. The Sage School — Maitama, Abuja9.
Open Doors Special Education Centre — Jos, Plateau State10. Pacific Hall Special School — Ikeja, Lagos11. Benola Cerebral Palsy Initiative (BCPI) — Lagos12. The Alderstown School for the Deaf — Warri, Delta State13.
Blazing Heart Autism Centre — Port Harcourt, Rivers State14. Dayspring Infant and Junior School — Port Harcourt, Rivers State15. Early Development, Learning and Care Centre — Calabar, Cross RiverSchool fees summary tableFAQsWhich school has the best special education programme in Nigeria?Is there a free government school for a special needs child in Nigeria?What disabilities do special needs schools in Nigeria cover?How do I apply for admission to a special needs school in Nigeria?Are special needs school fees higher than regular school fees?Key takeawaysNigeria has 1,177 full-fledged nursery, primary, and secondary special needs schools.Nigeria’s National Policy on Education states that services to persons with special needs should be free, but publicly funded schools may still charge ancillary costs.Most private special needs schools do not publish their fees online — contact each school directly for current figures.Schools span Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Jos, Ibadan, Warri, and other major cities.Nigeria’s top special needs schools serve children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, speech delay, Down syndrome, and other developmental conditions.Background: special needs education in NigeriaSpecial education for persons with disabilities started with segregationist practices in the 1970s, first by missionaries and later with government involvement. The 2004 Fourth Edition of the National Policy on Education formalised public special schools, funded by the Special Education Universal Basic Education Intervention Fund.The 2017 National Policy on Inclusive Education aims to harmonise and create a unified system.
Despite this, demand for quality provision continues to outstrip supply.The 15 best special needs schools in Nigeria1. Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home/School — LagosThe facility was established in 1960 by the late Mrs Modupe Cole as a non-governmental organisation, and in 1979 it was taken over by the Lagos State Government.Modupe Cole is the only special school owned and controlled by the Lagos State Government that has accommodation facilities. The home supports 200 residents, ranging in age from 6 to 60, with various disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, the after-effects of polio, and jaundice from birth.Location: 1 St. Finbarr’s College Road, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos MainlandSchool fees: Government-subsidised; contact the school directly2.
Anthos House — Lekki, LagosAnthos House, a Greensprings subsidiary in Jakande, Lekki Phase II, offers specialist provision for students aged 10 to 17+ with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and ADHD.Facilities include well-resourced classrooms, an art room, an ICT suite, an educational therapy room, a food technology room, and outdoor play areas. Students also experience sessions led by speech and language therapists, behaviour therapists, occupational therapists, and qualified dance teachers.Location: 1 Platinum Way, Opposite Jakande First Gate, Lekki Phase II, LagosSchool fees: Contact school directly for current fee schedule3. Patrick Speech and Languages Centre — Ikeja, LagosLocated in Ikeja, Lagos, this is one of Nigeria’s most respected centres for autism and speech therapy. They offer full academic instruction, life skills coaching, and behavioural therapy.The centre specialises in Autism Spectrum Disorder, providing speech therapy, behavioural therapy, and vocational training for children aged 2 to 18.Location: 13b Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja, LagosSchool fees: Contact school directly4.
C.A.D.E.T. Academy — Maitama, AbujaC.A.D.E.T. Academy is a research- and evidence-based special needs education and learning programme located in Abuja. C.A.D.E.T. stands for Comprehensive Autism and Related Disabilities Education and Training Academy.
The academy adopts either an inclusive or intensive one-on-one approach, applying evidence-based procedures to replace undesirable habits with acceptable ones.Location: Block L2, No 13, Uruguay Street, Maitama, AbujaSchool fees: Contact school directly5. The Zamarr Institute — AbujaThe Zamarr Institute, a non-profit NGO, has been providing services to children, adolescents, and young adults with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and learning disabilities, since 2006.The institute uses Applied Behaviour Analysis integrated with education, with a focus on functional independence and skill development.Location: 27 Libreville Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, AbujaSchool fees: ₦300,000 – ₦650,000 per term (third-party estimate — verify directly with the school)6. Centre for Children with Special Needs (CCSN) — Maitama, AbujaThe Centre for Children with Special Needs in Abuja is a centre of excellence that provides quality service of international standards to children and families of people with special needs, with the sole aim of maximising their potentials regardless of the degree of disability.Location: 4 Lake Chad Crescent, Off IBB Way, Maitama District, FCT AbujaSchool fees: Contact school directly7. Royal School of Education Therapy Foundation — Gwarinpa, AbujaRoyal School of Education Therapy Foundation is a non-profit private school comprising general education and special education services for students with and without disabilities, ranging from kindergarten to high school for general education, and kindergarten to adulthood for special education.
They provide educational therapy and academic tutoring for students with learning difficulties due to academic challenges, disabilities, and traumatic brain injury.Location: 1 Stephen Orosanya Street, Setraco, 2nd Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja School fees: Contact school directly8. The Sage School — Maitama, AbujaThe Sage School is one of the top special schools in Nigeria. The teachers are qualified, experienced, and give attention to each student. It caters to children with a range of learning difficulties and developmental conditions.Location: 10 Owena Close, Off Yedseram Street, Maitama, AbujaSchool fees: Contact school directly9.
Open Doors Special Education Centre — Jos, Plateau StateThe school stands out in providing quality education, vocational training, speech and language therapy, and physiotherapy for children and youth with intellectual disabilities.They provide special care for children with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, including mental retardation, autism, ASD, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, Down syndrome, and speech and language delay.Location: Off Liberty Boulevard, Giring, Jos, Plateau StateSchool fees: Contact school directly10. Pacific Hall Special School — Ikeja, LagosPacific Hall Special School is the fir
