UN pushes Nigeria on Disability Act implementation
The United Nations has urged Nigeria to fully implement the Disability Act to ensure meaningful inclusion and protect the rights of over 35 million citizens living with disabilities.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Muhamed Fall, made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja themed “From Paper to Practice: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in Nigeria – Aligning the Disability Act Implementation with CRPD and UNDIS.”
Mr Fall stressed that implementation must be rights-based, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS). He noted that while bold steps had been taken—such as accessibility improvements at the UN House, including ramps, accessible doors, signage, and nationwide programme adjustments—more action was required.
He emphasised that disability inclusion benefits the entire nation, saying: “When persons with disabilities can learn, work, and thrive without barriers, Nigeria as a whole thrives.”
The UN also announced the establishment of a Disability Inclusion Working Group to embed inclusion in all UN programmes, budgets, and projects, supported by agencies such as UNICEF, ILO, and UNDP.
At the event, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs, Mohammed Isa, admitted that some states with disability commissions were delaying implementation, despite pressure from organisations and advocates. He stressed the need for a multi-faceted approach where persons with disabilities lead advocacy while government sets aside personal interests to drive execution.
Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Bashir Dawodu, said the implementation gap remained a concern since the Act was passed in 2018. He assured that his committee would work with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure policies have a tangible impact.
The meeting featured keynote speeches from JONAPWD president, Abdullahi Usman, and NCPWD executive secretary, Ayuba Gufwan, alongside robust discussions on barriers, opportunities, and action steps to accelerate nationwide disability inclusion.
