The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has strengthened its commitment to promoting disability inclusion through a renewed partnership with the National Association for Exceptional Children (NAEC). This collaboration was reinforced during a strategic meeting with a delegation from NAEC led by its National President, Professor Julius Abiola Ademokoya.
At the engagement, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, commended NAEC for its decades of service in supporting exceptional children and fostering inclusive development. He emphasized that with Nigeria’s disability population now estimated at over 38 million persons, stronger partnerships are essential to improve advocacy, expand service delivery, and deepen sustainable inclusion across the country.
Hon. Gufwan expressed concern over persistent funding challenges that continue to hinder disability-focused initiatives, despite the domestication of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 in more than 20 states. He referenced South Korea’s disability employment quota model—where institutions are mandated to employ persons with disabilities or face penalties—as an example of global best practice that could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s inclusion framework. He reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to policies that promote accessibility, education, employment, and equal opportunities.
“Building a highly inclusive society is not only possible, it is necessary. We must work together to ensure that no child, no adult, and no community of persons with disabilities is left behind,” he stated.
In his remarks, NAEC President Professor Julius Ademokoya pledged the Association’s readiness to intensify collaboration with NCPWD, especially in advancing inclusive education, agricultural empowerment, and economic support for exceptional children and their families. He praised the Commission for its support during the 2025 International Disability Day celebration and acknowledged its consistent advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities both nationally and internationally.
The meeting ended with both institutions reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening support systems for exceptional children and accelerating progress toward an inclusive Nigeria where everyone, regardless of disability, can thrive.
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