The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has called on the Federal Government to channel part of the revenue from newly enacted tax laws into targeted empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria.
CITAB made the call in a statement issued in Lagos by its Executive Chairman, Comrade Jolomi George Fenemigho, in response to the tax reforms which took effect on January 1, 2026.
While commending the reforms for improving revenue generation and easing the tax burden on low-income earners, Fenemigho stressed that true social justice would only be achieved if persons with disabilities are deliberately included in the redistribution of public funds.
According to him, Nigerians with disabilities—covering visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments—continue to face systemic barriers due to the high cost or unavailability of essential assistive tools and accessible services.
He noted that items such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, screen readers, communication devices, and accessible transportation remain beyond the reach of many, limiting independence and full participation in society.
Fenemigho urged the government to allocate specific portions of tax revenue to disability-focused programmes, including subsidies for assistive technologies, improvements in accessible infrastructure, and investments in inclusive education and employment.
He also called for the complete exemption of Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duties on disability-related imports, as well as accessibility compliance across public services, particularly as government platforms become increasingly digital.
The CITAB chairman further recommended tax incentives for private-sector employers who demonstrate commitment to inclusive hiring and provide accessible workplaces for persons with disabilities. He said such measures would not only promote equity but also unlock the economic potential of millions of Nigerians currently excluded from the workforce.
While welcoming the exemption of Nigerians earning ₦800,000 or less from personal income tax, Fenemigho emphasized that the additional financial burden associated with living with a disability must be acknowledged.
He stated that deliberate reinvestment of tax revenues into disability inclusion would represent a meaningful commitment to fairness and national development.
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