ABUJA – October 27, 2025: Abuja is agog as delegates from across the country converge for the 2025 National Disability Summit, organized by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
According to the Commission, preparations are in top gear for the week-long event, which begins Monday, October 27, 2025, with the Inauguration Workshop for the Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies in Nigeria (NAFDCA). The workshop is scheduled for October 27–28, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The two-day National Disability Summit will follow on October 29–30 under the theme:
“Inclusive Nigeria: Empowering Persons with Disabilities for Sustainable Development.”
The Summit will also feature the official launch of the National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies (NAFDCA) — a joint initiative between the Ministry and NCPWD aimed at driving inclusive development, empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs), and developing a National Action Plan to implement Nigeria’s 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS) commitments.
Supported by the German and Swiss Governments, the European Union (EU) through GIZ Nigeria, International IDEA under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, and Sightsavers, the event promises to be a landmark moment for disability inclusion in Nigeria.
The Summit will convene key stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to strengthen inclusive governance and chart a collective roadmap for sustainable development.
Key discussions will focus on strengthening policies and legislation, reviewing progress on Nigeria’s GDS commitments, enhancing accessibility, and promoting inclusive employment, entrepreneurship, and data-driven policymaking. Participants will also explore strategies for advancing accessible infrastructure in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nigeria, home to an estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities, has made notable progress since the enactment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, with 23 states domesticating the Act and 15 establishing functional disability agencies.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, Executive Secretary of NCPWD, described the summit as a national call to action to dismantle systemic barriers and deepen collaboration for inclusion.
“The National Disability Summit is a call to action for all stakeholders to come together and address the challenges that hinder full participation of persons with disabilities,” Gufwan said.
“It presents a renewed opportunity to align our collective efforts toward building a truly inclusive Nigeria—one where every citizen can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
He emphasized that discussions at the Summit would tackle critical issues around accessibility, education, health, and economic inclusion, with a focus on identifying sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians with disabilities.
The National Disability Summit 2025 reaffirms the NCPWD’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable national development.
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