A member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aare (Hon.) Tolu Bankole, has called on the Federal Government to implement a national policy that guarantees free education and healthcare for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria.
Bankole made the appeal in a press statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, stressing that the country’s current economic realities—particularly the rising costs of medicines and assistive technologies—have worsened the daily struggles of Nigerians with disabilities.
“I canvass for free education from primary to tertiary and free health services for PWDs as a national government policy. This is a matter of necessity and social justice,” he said.
The APC chieftain underscored the critical importance of inclusive education as a pathway to empowerment and national development. He argued that ensuring PWDs have access to quality education would enhance their capacity for self-reliance and active contribution to the economy.
“Education is a bridge to self-employment and a powerful tool for economic empowerment. When PWDs are educated, they are equipped to lift themselves out of poverty and exclusion,” he stated.
On the healthcare front, Bankole decried the escalating costs of essential drugs, assistive devices, and specialised medical services, warning that many PWDs are unable to access the care they need to survive.
“Health is a fundamental human right. The cost of drugs and other medical essentials has gone beyond the reach of many PWDs. Without intervention, many of our people are left to suffer in silence and die. This must not continue,” he warned.
He urged the Federal Government to institutionalise a disability-specific subsidy programme that would ensure access to free, quality medical care and inclusive education at all levels.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Bankole called for intensified efforts to support the over 30 million Nigerians living with disabilities through deliberate and targeted social protection policies.
“True inclusivity demands intentionality. As the government seeks to lift the most vulnerable, we must act decisively to reduce the burdens that PWDs face daily,” he said.
He further appealed to state governments, local authorities, and the private sector to collaborate in ensuring that no person with a disability is denied access to education or healthcare due to their condition or financial status.
Reaffirming his commitment to disability advocacy, Bankole pledged to continue engaging relevant stakeholders and lawmakers to push for reforms in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and global best practices.
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