Caring for Child with Disability in Nigeria is Misunderstood —Content Creator Joy Ogbidi 

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On June 16, 2026, Joy Ogbidi, a prominent Nigerian chef, food blogger, and lifestyle content creator also known as @joygiverkitchen, stated that caring for a child with cerebral palsy in Nigeria is widely misunderstood and significantly more expensive than most people realise. 

Speaking on News Central in an interview on the realities of raising her daughter, she stated that her 11-year-old daughter, who has the brain function of a three-year-old, requires therapy sessions that alone cost over a million naira a year, before accounting for medication, diapers, special diets, or emergency hospital visits.

“When you get pregnant and you give birth, you move on. When you get pregnant and you give birth to a special needs child, you don’t move on. You’re stuck,” she said during the interview.

The content creator stressed that the financial burden of care is significant, particularly in accessing therapy services. She explained that physiotherapy sessions cost about ₦15,000 per hour, and her child receives therapy three times a week.

She further noted that speech therapy costs about ₦15,000 per session, with three to four sessions weekly, bringing additional monthly expenses. According to her, these costs do not include medication, diapers, hospital visits in the case of seizures, or special dietary needs often required for children with cerebral palsy.

She said the financial demands are compounded by everyday care needs that are difficult to quantify over time. “I can’t say exactly how much it costs over the years,” she said, adding that expenses vary depending on the child’s condition and required therapies.

Beyond medical costs, she also spoke about social perceptions and schooling choices for children with special needs. She explained that her daughter attends a regular school despite criticism, noting that special needs schools in Nigeria do not always provide adequate care.

“Have you been to those schools? It’s pretty much like dropping your child on the street and going to work,” she said, stating that care quality in some facilities is poor and inconsistent.

She also addressed the emotional strain within families, particularly how caregiving responsibilities affect siblings. She noted that balancing the needs of other children in the household can be difficult, as the child with special needs often requires more attention.

However, she rejected the idea that siblings should be trained to take on caregiving responsibilities in the future, describing it as a practice that can lead to resentment.

“I’m not doing that. It creates serious resentment,” she said, adding that while she is aware of the expectation in some families, she does not want her other children to feel burdened by their sister’s condition.

She emphasised that while caregiving is challenging, responsibility ultimately rests with parents. “She’s my daughter. She’s their sister, but she’s not their responsibility,” she said.