It is clear that the Nigerian education system is in the midst of a major reform, with the policy to
include students with special needs in regular classrooms. As an important first step toward ensuring
long-lasting success, there is need to eradicate all forms of superstitious beliefs about disabilities that
have for so long inhibited involvement with people with disabilities in education and the community. In
this regard, the need for proper documentation of children and youth with disabilities for effective
programming cannot be overemphasized. Also, the proper deployment of available trained special
educators at primary and secondary school levels must be a priority for all school management
officials. For ethical reasons, these school officials and law-makers must resist political pressures to
make insufficiently informed decisions about special education or even general education services. It is
not sufficient for government officials to merely endorse international protocols of special needs
education that have not been adequately researched or tested in developing countries. In the debates
and discussions that will occur, teachers, administrators, other school personnel, law-makers, students
with and without disabilities, and their parents must be cognizant of the responsibility of educating all
students so they can reach their full potential. The bottom line for students with disabilities should be
equitable access to opportunities that will guarantee successful outcomes in education, employment and
community integration.