The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has launched a research report on Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria, calling for stronger measures to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are fully included in climate action and disaster response.
The report was officially launched on August 5, 2026, in Abuja following a research aimed at assessing and documenting the impact of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions on persons with disabilities in Nigeria. It also provides evidence-based recommendations for promoting inclusive climate policies, adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The launch brought together representatives of key government institutions and stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, development partners and disability rights advocates.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, described climate change as a present humanitarian challenge that affects everyone, but noted that persons with disabilities, older persons, women and children are often among the most vulnerable.
Gufwan noted that PWDs continue to face significant barriers in accessing early warning information, evacuation services, relief camps and livelihood support during disasters. He described the research report as a landmark document that provides valuable evidence on the experiences of persons with disabilities during floods, heatwaves, droughts and displacement, while offering practical recommendations for inclusive climate action.
In his opening remarks, the Founding Executive Director of CCD and Chairman of the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, Hon. Dr. David Obinna Anyaele, said climate change was occurring rapidly across the world and Nigeria was already experiencing its devastating effects.
Anyaele explained that persons with disabilities are often disproportionately affected during climate-related emergencies because of the physical, communication, institutional and other barriers they encounter. He stressed the need for deliberate action, beginning with knowledge and awareness, and noted that the publication was CCD’s second major report focusing on climate change and disability.
He urged stakeholders to deepen their understanding of climate change and disability inclusion and sustain advocacy until persons with disabilities are fully recognised and included across all sectors.
Also speaking, Barr. Ikem Uchegbulam, Director of Compliance and Enforcement, who represented the Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, commended CCD for undertaking what he described as a timely and important research. He stressed the need for greater awareness to enable persons with disabilities to understand the effects of climate change and prepare adequately for climate-related emergencies.
In her welcome remarks, delivered on behalf of the Acting Director of CCD, Mrs. Florence Chima Austin described the research as one of the first comprehensive studies in Nigeria to examine the relationship between disability, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
She said the report addresses an important knowledge gap by documenting the experiences of persons with disabilities and providing practical recommendations aimed at ensuring that climate action is inclusive and leaves no one behind.
Among other recommendations, the report called on the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) to develop supplementary regulations that specifically include persons with disabilities in the implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021, as well as develop disability-inclusive indicators in the NCCC Action Plan.
It also recommended that Federal, State and Local Government institutions establish Directorates of Persons with Disabilities (DPWDs) across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), staffed by persons with disabilities with relevant knowledge of climate policy and action, rather than relying solely on disability desks.
The report further urged the Ministry of Education, NEMA, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Police, Red Cross and Fire Service, among other first responders, to adopt universal design principles in emergency infrastructure and early warning systems to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The event culminated in the official launch of the research report by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Gufwan.
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