Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers Limited has empowered 60 visually impaired learners from four special schools in Ibadan with free braille and audio storybooks, a gesture that reinforces inclusive education and independent learning.
Donated on Tuesday, 20th January, 2026, the presentation of the materials underscored the publisher’s dedication to providing accessible educational resources for underserved communities.
While presenting the materials to the beneficiaries, Mr. Lukman Dauda, the company’s Managing Director, emphasised that sustainable national development hinges on inclusiveness, coupled with high-quality education.
Mr. Dauda highlighted Evans Publishers’ alignment with the Marrakesh Treaty of 2013, which promotes access to published works for the blind, visually impaired, or print-disabled.
“As one of Nigeria’s long-standing indigenous publishing organizations, we remain committed to advancing learning through curriculum-compliant and socially responsive resources,” he stated.
The initiative launched a distribution program for storybooks in braille and audio formats to beneficiary schools in Ibadan, reinforcing the company’s focus on educational innovation, social inclusion, and corporate responsibility.
Reports have shown that visually impaired students in Nigeria face several challenges including inadequate resources such Braille and proper reading materials materials. This is continuously leading to poor learning and exam experiences, despite anti-discrimination laws.
Other key problems include inaccessible websites, high cost of assistive tech, poor infrastructure, mobility issues, and lack of inclusive policies, hindering their full academic and social integration.
These challenges result in limited skill acquisition, lower self-esteem, and reduced opportunities, preventing visually impaired students from achieving their full potential.
Several dignitaries that graced the presentation recognised the gesture as commendable amid poor inclusivity practices.
Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, represented by Oyo State Coordinator Mrs. Oluropo Oke, commended the initiative as laudable while addressing the global “book famine” affecting print-disabled learners in developing countries. He noted that only a fraction of publications are accessible, praising Evans’ efforts to bridge this gap by delivering materials directly to students.
Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi, Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, also lauded the publisher for integrating disability inclusion into its CSR programs.
Prof. Olusegun Olayiwola, Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, described the donation as a powerful step toward equitable literacy, leveraging technology to boost reading culture and language skills among beneficiaries.
The beneficiary schools included CAC Special Basic School, Oniyanrin, Ibadan; Omoyeni Special Basic School, Orita Aperin, Ibadan. Others are Special Basic School, Sharp Corner, Oke Ado, Ibadan and Bioku Alaadun Special Basic School, Amuloko, Ibadan.
The program was seen as the one promoting broader educational equity in Nigeria.