UN Urges Nigeria to Enforce Disability Act for True Inclusion and Rights Protection
The United Nations is calling on Nigeria to take bold and urgent steps to fully enforce the Disability Act, ensuring genuine inclusion and safeguarding the rights of millions of citizens with disabilities.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Muhamed Fall, while speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders’ forum themed “From Paper to Practice: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in Nigeria – Aligning the Disability Act Implementation with CRPD and UNDIS”, told PulseNets that implementation must be rights-based and strictly guided by both the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.
“We are here to move beyond legislation and into action. The dignity of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities must remain at the core of national policy,” Mr Fall emphasised.
“When people with disabilities can learn, work, and thrive without barriers, the entire nation prospers. Nigeria has made bold moves, but now is the time to accelerate real change,” he added.
PulseNets obtained details of a nationwide disability inclusion study conducted by the UN, which informed significant adjustments at the UN House. These included ramps, accessible entrances, and inclusive signage, which are now being applied to programmes nationwide.
Mr Fall further revealed that a UN Disability Inclusion Working Group has been set up to mainstream inclusion across all programmes, budgets, and projects. Agencies such as UNICEF, ILO, and UNDP are backing the effort to ensure no Nigerian with a disability is left behind.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs Mohammed Isa spoke to PulseNets, acknowledging that some state disability commissions have delayed implementation, despite concerns raised by organisations and advocates.
“Inclusion requires a multi-layered approach where persons with disabilities themselves lead advocacy efforts while government officials set aside personal interests to accelerate execution,” Isa said.
Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters Bashir Dawodu reported to PulseNets that the pace of implementing the Act, which was passed in 2018, remains a critical issue.
“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has been coordinating and implementing programmes, and my committee is committed to ensuring Nigerians see tangible impact soon,” Dawodu assured.
Also Read: Disability Act, Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): Stakeholders in Bayelsa Discuss Full Implementation, Call for Reforms to Address Gaps,
Keynote remarks were delivered by JONAPWD President Abdullahi Usman and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Ayuba Gufwan, PulseNets learnt. The meeting also featured extensive discussions on barriers and opportunities, leading to the adoption of clear action points and next steps to drive nationwide disability inclusion.
