The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has trained security officers and other stakeholders in Oyo State on disability-inclusive service delivery and the protection of the civic space rights of persons with disabilities.
The capacity-building workshop, held on September 15, 2026, was organised by CCD. The training brought together representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights Commission, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Nigerian Red Cross Society, government institutions, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society organisations and the media.
The workshop focused on strengthening participants’ knowledge and collaboration on disability rights, security sector reform, inclusive service delivery and the protection of civic space for persons with disabilities.
The Acting Director of CCD, Mr. Godwin Unumeri, represented by the Finance and Administration Manager, Mrs. Florence Austin, said the experiences of citizens, particularly persons with disabilities, had demonstrated the need for security sector reforms that go beyond maintaining public order to protecting fundamental rights and preserving civic space.
Unumeri stressed that security sector reform should seek to transform the approach of security agencies from one that merely controls civic space to one that protects civic participation while maintaining public safety.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, represented by the Civic Space Programme Officer and Coordinator of the Action Group on Free Civic Space, Mr. Testimony Omole, commended CCD for organising the training.
Omole said the initiative was important in strengthening the capacity of security agencies to better understand and respond to the needs of persons with disabilities, urging them to play a leading role in safeguarding their rights and protecting their civic space.
A major highlight of the workshop was a group exercise during which participants jointly developed Guidelines on Persons with Disabilities’ Rights and Civic Space Protection for Security Agencies in Oyo State.
The workshop also resulted in commitments from participating security agencies to strengthen disability-inclusive training, establish accessible complaint mechanisms, protect the civic space rights of persons with disabilities, promote disability-friendly policing, improve institutional collaboration and enhance access to justice.
CCD reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a security sector in Oyo State that is inclusive, accessible and accountable, while protecting the rights, dignity and meaningful civic participation of persons with disabilities.
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