In a country known for its extensive waterways and sprawling coastline, Nigeria paradoxically suffers from a widespread lack of swimming skills—especially among children. For many, the ability to swim remains a luxury, not a necessity. But in Lagos, an inspiring initiative is flipping that narrative—one splash at a time.
A group of visually impaired children is learning to swim in a pioneering programme that not only teaches survival skills but also offers something even deeper: confidence, empowerment, and inclusion.
Despite the practical importance of swimming, it is not part of Nigeria’s national school curriculum. Access to public swimming facilities is limited, and cultural superstitions around water further deter many families from encouraging their children to learn. These challenges are amplified for children with disabilities, who are often left out of physical education and water safety programmes entirely.
According to the World Health Organization, over 200,000 people drown worldwide each year, with a disproportionate number of fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, where flash floods and informal water transport are part of daily life, the consequences of not knowing how to swim are particularly dire.
Yet, amid these odds, something extraordinary is unfolding.
At the heart of this movement is swim coach Emeka Chuks-Nnadi, the founder of Swim in 1 Day Africa, a non-profit initiative aimed at making swimming accessible to all—especially children with disabilities.
“I realised that people living with disabilities are not getting the right therapies, especially swimming,” Chuks-Nnadi explained. “Their counterparts in developed countries have access to this on a regular basis. Swim in 1 Day is about closing that gap and making it something people with disabilities can also enjoy. It improves their quality of life drastically.”
Water therapy, he says, has a uniquely transformative power, especially for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
“Of all the therapies available, water therapy is the one that actually stimulates the brain and has a direct impact. The transformation I witness when a child who has never been in water learns to float or swim is immediate. Their confidence changes, their joy is visible—it’s nothing short of amazing,” he said.
In a society where children with disabilities are often hidden from public view due to shame or superstition, the programme does more than build skills—it restores dignity.
“There’s a stigma in some parts of Africa, where parents feel ashamed of their kids and keep them locked away,” Chuks-Nnadi said. “But we’re changing that narrative. We’re showing that a child who is blind or visually impaired can be a swimming champion, a doctor, a lawyer—anything.”
The science backs up what he sees every day. Swimming activates multiple areas of the brain, boosts endorphin levels, and improves motor skills and coordination. For children with cognitive disabilities, these benefits can be life-changing.
“The benefits are enormous,” he added. “We’re seeing kids who couldn’t concentrate in school become more focused. Children who were withdrawn now speak confidently in public. It’s beyond physical fitness—it’s about unlocking potential.”
And the children echo these sentiments with pride.
Fikayo Adodo, 14, is one of the programme’s bright stars. “Swimming has taught me a lot,” she said. “It has helped me in class. I’m confident now to speak in front of crowds and interact with people. My brain is sharp—like, very great!”
For 10-year-old Boluwatife Oladimeji, swimming is a source of self-belief. “I was happy when I learned how to swim because I thought I could never do it. But I built the courage, and now I’m proud of myself. When people ask if I can swim, I say yes—and I say it proudly.”
And for Ikenna Goodluck, 13, water has become a sanctuary. “Swimming has taught me to face my fears. It has given me boldness and courage. It’s helped me overcome a lot.”
These victories, though personal, reflect a broader societal shift—one in which inclusion, not exclusion, becomes the norm.
In a nation increasingly affected by climate-related floods and with many communities relying on rivers and coastal routes for transport, water safety isn’t just a recreational skill—it’s a vital one. For children with disabilities, knowing how to swim could mean the difference between life and death.
Yet, what’s perhaps most powerful about the Swim in 1 Day programme is that it refuses to be just about survival. It’s about thriving.
“It’s not just about teaching kids to swim,” said Chuks-Nnadi. “It’s about giving them a sense of identity, a voice, and a belief in their ability to do anything.”
With limited resources but unlimited determination, the team behind this initiative is building a more inclusive future, one stroke at a time. And in the clear blue waters of Lagos, children who were once marginalized are now becoming role models—for their communities, for Nigeria, and for the world.
As they glide across the pool, their movements are more than physical. They are symbolic—each stroke, a declaration that disability does not mean inability. Each dive, a push against prejudice. Each smile, a reflection of reclaimed joy.
In the words of Chuks-Nnadi: “We are not just teaching swimming—we are restoring hope, building futures, and proving that every child, no matter their challenge, deserves to shine.”
