Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has publicly appealed to Nigerians to rally support for 32 children with special needs who were left homeless following a court-ordered eviction from their therapy centre in Yaba, Lagos.

The actress, known for her advocacy work and influence across social platforms, shared an emotional message on her Instagram page on Monday after coming across a video showing the children and their belongings placed outside the facility.

“This video was sent to me today, and honestly, it broke my heart. Seeing children living with autism, dyslexia, cerebral palsy and other special needs displaced and lying outside with their belongings is deeply upsetting,” she wrote.

While expressing deep concern, Akindele stressed that her intervention was not aimed at assigning blame to any party involved in the legal dispute surrounding the property. Instead, she said her intention was to mobilise compassion and immediate assistance for the affected children.

“This post is not to discredit or attack anyone involved. I simply want to use my platform to encourage support for these children during this difficult time. I have contributed in my own little way, and I’m appealing to anyone who can help in any way possible. No child deserves to be left helpless,” she added.

The situation reportedly stems from the eviction of Magnificient Therapy Services, a centre that had operated in the same building for about 16 years before being removed following a prolonged tenancy dispute that ended in a court-enforced action. The development left dozens of vulnerable children without stable care or accommodation.

The centre, which began in 2010 in a small two-bedroom apartment with just two children, had gradually grown into a crucial support space for children with developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and dyslexia. Over the years, it became a refuge for families seeking specialised care often unavailable in mainstream institutions.

Following the eviction, the disruption was immediate and severe. Some of the children, including orphans and those without readily available guardians, were temporarily relocated to an uncompleted building while neighbours stepped in to provide short-term assistance.

For many families, the situation was deeply distressing. Some parents rushed to the centre upon hearing of the eviction and were forced to quickly take their children home, though not all were able to provide immediate alternatives for care.

Akindele once again urged Nigerians and potential donors to step forward in whatever capacity they could, emphasising the urgency of the situation.

“Please, whatever support you can give will go a long way. If you’re able to do more, kindly help them. Let’s show these children love, kindness, and humanity,” she wrote.

The appeal has since drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by special needs care centres in Nigeria, particularly issues around funding, stability, and long-term infrastructure support.