Advocate Adaobi Chuma-Okeke has called for immediate action to ensure wheelchair-accessible infrastructure in schools, public spaces, transportation systems, and other essential services to promote dignity and equality for individuals with disabilities in Nigeria.
At an event commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Chuma-Okeke emphasized the need for comprehensive policies that address equal employment opportunities, social inclusion, and better healthcare. She expressed concern over the inconsistent enforcement of the Disability Rights Act, which continues to marginalize people with disabilities in public life and workplaces.
Sharing her personal experiences as a wheelchair user, Chuma-Okeke recounted relying on friends to physically carry her up stairs during her education, a struggle that fueled her advocacy for improved accessibility in Nigerian schools.
She urged the Ministry of Education and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to enforce existing laws, pointing out that many institutions remain inaccessible.
“Policies and laws must translate into real changes. Installing proper ramps and elevators in schools can open up opportunities for countless children with disabilities,” she said.
Her remarks resonated with the theme of the event, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” and the slogan, “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
Chuma-Okeke also addressed societal stigma and resistance from employers, calling on the government and private sector to prioritize disability rights, adding, “Building a truly inclusive society requires immediate action.”
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