The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has explored Canada’s disability tax credit and employment support systems as potential models for strengthening economic empowerment and poverty reduction programmes for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Inclusive News Network reports that a delegation of the Commission participated in a five-day study mission on poverty reduction through economic and social investment in Ottawa, Canada, from September 21 to 25, 2026. The programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, with participation from government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as some states.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Lawrence Idemudia, Director of Social Integration, who represented the NCPWD Executive Secretary, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, said the mission provided an opportunity to learn from Canada’s approaches to social protection, employment services, enterprise development, innovation and disability inclusion. He highlighted Canada’s Disability Tax Credit (DTC), which reduces income tax payable by eligible individuals with severe and prolonged impairments or their supporting family members, as a model Nigeria could study in developing targeted support for persons with disabilities.
Idemudia said the Canadian experience demonstrated the importance of integrating employment, skills acquisition, social protection, data management and enterprise development into poverty reduction strategies, rather than treating disability solely as a humanitarian or welfare concern. He added that the Commission was exploring opportunities through initiatives such as the proposed Farm Cities Project, in partnership with the Peace for Humanity Foundation, to expand economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
He also highlighted the Commission’s proposed Reality TV talent show in partnership with Discovering Ability in Disability (DADI), which aims to identify, train, reward and showcase talented persons with disabilities. He called on public and private stakeholders to support both initiatives, stressing the need to create sustainable pathways to economic independence.
According to Idemudia, Canadian stakeholders also welcomed Nigeria’s efforts to implement the five per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities under the country’s disability rights framework. He said the delegation also learned about Canada’s Job Bank concept, which connects job seekers with employment opportunities and provides labour-market information that could help improve job matching for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The study mission further proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-Canada Poverty Reduction and Social Investment Platform to promote continuing knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, investment mobilisation and partnerships between institutions in both countries. Idemudia said the engagement offered valuable lessons for improving Nigeria’s poverty reduction programmes and ensuring that persons with disabilities are recognised as contributors to economic growth, rather than being left behind.
The NCPWD delegation was represented by Mr. Lawrence Idemudia and Mrs. Fatsuma Zainab Suleiman-Shehu.
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