The General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, has called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, organisations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to ensure that climate change policies and interventions in Nigeria are inclusive of persons with disabilities.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal made the call during the public presentation and official launch of a research report on Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria, held at Elomaz Hotels, Maryland, Lagos.
The programme was organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) to deepen understanding of the relationship between disability and climate change, while identifying practical approaches to making climate action in Nigeria more inclusive and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the event, the LASODA General Manager stressed the importance of recognising the connection between disability and climate change, noting that climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies must take into account the realities, vulnerabilities and specific needs of persons with disabilities.
She said stakeholders must move beyond technical discussions and broad policy statements on climate change to develop practical, sustainable and locally relevant solutions that can be effectively implemented within the Nigerian context.
According to her, although government institutions and agencies have specific mandates relating to climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development, there is a need to deliberately mainstream disability considerations into their policies, programmes and systems.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal therefore called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, organisations of persons with disabilities, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders, stressing that collective action would help translate the recommendations of the research into realistic and sustainable interventions.
She also emphasised the need to take climate change discussions beyond technical and academic spaces and translate them into practical solutions that address the lived realities of Nigerians, particularly persons with disabilities who may face greater barriers during climate-related emergencies and environmental changes.
The LASODA General Manager described the research as an important opportunity for stakeholders to identify sustainable measures for addressing the climate-related challenges faced by persons with disabilities and ensuring that disability inclusion becomes an integral part of Nigeria’s climate policies and interventions.
She urged participants to consider their individual responsibilities, as well as the roles of their respective organisations, government institutions and agencies, in advancing disability-inclusive climate action, while exploring opportunities for sustained collaboration.
The event featured the presentation and official launch of the research report, as well as goodwill messages from participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Discussions also focused on climate change research, adaptation and mitigation, stakeholder engagement and strategies for strengthening disability inclusion in Nigeria’s climate response.
The research is expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote climate action that is inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs and experiences of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
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