Unesco research shows that more than 90% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend schools. In Nigeria there is a severe lack of legislation relating to the education of disabled children with the National Policy Education (NPE) and the 'Nigerians with Disability Decree' the only government literature available. Released in 1977, the NPE set out the aims of special education in Nigeria:

In 1993 the Nigerian Government enacted the first and only piece of legislation on people with a disability. The 'Nigerians with Disability Decree' was enacted to 'provide a clear and comprehensive legal protection and security for Nigerians with disability, as well as establish a standard for enhancement of the rights and privileges, guaranteed under this decree and other laws applicable to the disabled in the Federal Republic of Nigeria'.

Despite the passing of the Decree, the situation of those with disabilities in Nigeria remains desperate. None of the programs set out in the Decree have been enacted to any substantial degree, and the number of children born with physical and learning disabilities remains unclear with no reliable census having been carried out.

The combination of inadequate plans for the identification of disabled children, a lack of guidance services for parents and the lack of special education facilities available for their children decreases the chance of children with special needs being able to attain even the most basic level of primary education.

The life chances of disabled children are further impaired by a pervasive negative attitude towards those with disabilities. Parents of disabled children are often ashamed of exposing their children to the wider community. In addition to this, parents often see their child's disability as means to earn money through begging, and are therefore reluctant to relinquish this source of income.