The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a transformative leader and a steadfast friend to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria and beyond.
In a heartfelt tribute signed by CCD’s Acting Director, Godwin Unumeri, the organisation highlighted Buhari’s historic strides in advancing disability rights, both nationally and across Africa, saying his legacy will endure for generations.
“In the unfolding story of Nigeria’s democracy, few leaders have left as enduring a mark on the lives of the marginalised as President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement read. “Though he has now taken his final rest, his legacy stands tall—etched not just in the laws he signed, but in the lives he uplifted.”
President Buhari’s most notable contribution to disability inclusion came in January 2019 when he signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. The landmark legislation outlawed discrimination in education, employment, transportation, and public infrastructure, while mandating accessibility and equal opportunity for the over 30 million Nigerians with disabilities.
Determined to give effect to the law, Buhari went on to establish the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)—a regulatory body tasked with implementing the Act and advancing the rights of PWDs.
In a pioneering move, the former president also appointed the first-ever Special Adviser on Disability Matters to the Presidency, giving disability issues a prominent voice in federal policy decisions.
“Under his watch, targeted initiatives flourished—ranging from vocational training and inclusive education to accessible healthcare and economic empowerment programs designed specifically for persons with disabilities,” CCD noted.
Beyond national efforts, Buhari also played a leading role in promoting disability rights on the global stage. He aligned Nigeria’s disability policies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and was an active proponent of the African Disability Protocol, supporting regional frameworks to mainstream disability issues across various sectors.
His administration championed Nigeria’s participation in international platforms such as the Global Disability Summit, further amplifying the voices and concerns of the disability community on a global scale.
“President Buhari recognised that disability rights are human rights,” the tribute read. “He chose empathy over indifference, action over rhetoric, and justice over convenience.”
As the nation and the global disability community mourn his passing, CCD says it also celebrates a man whose legacy continues to resonate in inclusive policies, empowered lives, and institutions built to ensure no Nigerian is left behind.
“Rest in peace, President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement concluded. “Your legacy lives on. You were, indeed, a President for all—and a true friend to those the world too often forgets.”
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