The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has commenced an accessibility audit of universities across Nigeria as part of efforts to enforce the Disability (Accessibility) Regulations 2023 and promote inclusive learning environments for persons with disabilities.
The Commission began the exercise at the Federal University Lafia (FULafia), marking the institution as the first tertiary institution to undergo the nationwide assessment aimed at ensuring that facilities and services are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The audit team, led by the Director of the Accessibility Department, Mr. Bitrus Sule Dakup, conducted an on-site evaluation of the university’s infrastructure and services to determine their level of compliance with accessibility standards and identify areas requiring improvement.
Receiving the team on behalf of the institution, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Ogiri, commended the Commission for selecting FULafia as the starting point for the initiative. He also acknowledged the Commission’s sustained support and collaboration with the university, noting that the partnership began during the tenure of the previous Vice-Chancellor.
Similarly, the Head of the Centre for Disability Studies at the university, Prof. Adaka, welcomed the delegation and expressed the institution’s readiness to support initiatives that promote inclusion. He wished the team success in carrying out the audit exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Mr. Dakup appreciated the university management for creating an enabling environment for persons with disabilities and reaffirmed the NCPWD’s commitment to ensuring that public institutions across the country become fully disability-friendly in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The accessibility audit forms part of the Commission’s broader mandate to monitor compliance with disability laws and strengthen inclusive policies within Nigeria’s education sector.
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