The Learning Innovation Academy, Lekki, has advised educators to recognise and nurture the unique potential of learners, and provide instruction tailored to their individual strengths and talents.
The founder of TLIA, Mrs. Bola Adewole, made this statement at the Inclusion in Creativity Conference, which brought together parents, educators, artists, neurodiversity advocates, and others.
She explained that the conference, titled ‘Inclusion and Innovation: Unlocking Opportunities for All,’ highlighted the mission of TLIA.
Adewole emphasised that TLIA was an institution dedicated to creativity, art, science, technology, and innovation, specifically designed to support strength-based individuals.
According to her, the academy’s primary focus is to help these individuals reach their full potential by identifying and nurturing their unique skills.
“Our main focus is recognising that there are individuals with unique skills that often go untapped because society has certain expectations of them. When we impose these expectations, they become the focus, and as a result, these individuals never truly thrive. They are stifled and prevented from reaching their full potential because what we want them to do is not aligned with what they are truly passionate about. Once we give them the space to explore their own interests, they are able to flourish. When you’re allowed to pursue what you love, you’re naturally more productive and creative, as opposed to being forced to do something you’re not interested in. That’s our ultimate goal, to create an environment where there are no limits, where individuals aren’t confined to someone else’s box. They create their own, they explore, they experiment, and they learn from their experiences, whether they get it right or wrong. It’s all part of the journey.”
She explained that the Creative Hub was created for this very reason to provide learners with the freedom to explore their talents.
“The space includes an art studio, a music studio, an inclusive area, and an animation section. It also features a conference room, as well as a gym and swimming pool, offering learners a place to relax and recharge. You can work on your project, take a break to swim, and then return to your work with renewed energy. It’s all designed to foster creativity and well-being.”
She continued, “We identify the unique strengths each learner brings and find ways to nurture and develop them. Our goal is to help them reach their full potential, whether that means excelling in a creative field, mastering a skill, or simply becoming as functional and independent as possible. This is a space for anyone who’s willing to innovate. It includes a makerspace, a place where anyone can walk in and explore their ideas freely, becoming whatever they aspire to be.”
Education consultant and president of the Issa School of Education,
Dr. Joy Issa, spoke about the importance of inclusive education for neurodivergent children in Nigeria.
She called for strength-based learning, teacher training, and vocational education, saying parents should accept their child’s needs early on and seek out support to help their children thrive independently.
Issa advised the government to invest more in special needs education and create public-private partnerships to fill gaps in resources.
“There is need for classrooms to adapt to support neurodivergent children, those who may struggle with traditional subjects like maths and English but excel in other areas like art or music. It is important to identify and nurture each child’s strengths to help them thrive.
“One of the main challenges is that many teachers lack the training to identify and support children with learning disabilities. While many teachers are unaware of how to differentiate their teaching to cater to neurodivergent learners, specialised training programs can bridge this gap.”
She suggested that children with learning difficulties could thrive in hands-on skills such as carpentry, fashion, or other trades.
Lead consultant at Green Yorks Education Consultants, Oyinkan Afolabi, reiterated the importance of creating environments that supported neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, dyslexia, or ADHD, by recognising their unique strengths and fostering their confidence.
Afolabi said that the new creative hub being launched, which offered a space for individuals to explore talents in areas like painting, music, and cooking, and turn them into profitable skills for future independence was a welcome idea.
She stressed the need for policies that ensured neurodivergent individuals were included in the workforce, calling for companies to have clear hiring goals for such individuals.
Afolabi also urged the government to create more inclusive centres and programmes, and to support advocacy efforts to celebrate and employ neurodivergent people.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Yewande Oshodi, explained the creativity potential of neurodivergent children, particularly those on the autism spectrum.
She pointed out that these children often possessed unique talents in areas like art, music, or problem-solving, which, if nurtured, could lead to great achievements.
Oshodi stressed that educators and caregivers should focus on recognising and developing these strengths, even in children who may struggle academically.
“I will like to emphasis on the need for a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders, involving educators, mental health professionals, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. The government’s role, is crucial in training qualified professionals, providing affordable special education programs, ensuring access to necessary medications, and regulating the field to prevent exploitation.
She called for a more inclusive society, where both the private and public sectors work together to create better educational and support systems for children with special needs.