Abuja — The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has restated its commitment to enforcing accessibility in Nigeria’s transport and housing sectors, following a one-day stakeholders’ forum on Inclusive Transport and Accessible Housing for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria held at the Bukhari Bello Auditorium of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Abuja.
The forum, organised by The Ability Life Initiative (TALI) in partnership with NCPWD, the NHRC and the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), gathered government agencies, transport operators, disability organisations and development partners to accelerate compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018—particularly Section 9, which mandates accessibility in public transportation and related infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, NCPWD Executive Secretary, Barr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described the engagement as timely, noting that attention must now shift from policy to practical enforcement. He said the Commission has put in place modalities under his administration “to secure and protect these liberties,” and called on public and private institutions to meet their compliance obligations under the law. Gufwan also thanked TALI for convening the dialogue and urged other organisations to replicate similar sector-focused initiatives.
Also addressing participants, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, reaffirmed the Commission’s mandate to promote, protect and enforce the human rights of everyone in Nigeria. He said ensuring accessible transport and housing for persons with disabilities (PWDs) aligns squarely with the NHRC’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
Discussions at the forum centred on the everyday challenges persons with disabilities face in accessing public transportation and housing. Participants reviewed existing policies and laws at national and state levels against Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Disability Act. They also examined practical solutions already working in other settings, such as accessible taxi services, and proposed ways these could be scaled across the country.
The dialogue further generated evidence-based recommendations to close gaps in accessibility, while highlighting the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, transport operators, disability groups, development partners and PWDs themselves. Stakeholders agreed that the meaningful participation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in designing, monitoring and evaluating transport and housing policies is key to achieving sustainable inclusion.
TALI—founded by Ms. Prada and Ms. Oprah—said the initiative advances its mission to promote the rights, health and social inclusion of Nigeria’s estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities through targeted programmes in education, healthcare, housing, mental health and non-discrimination.
Reiterating its stance, NCPWD said it remains committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy the full benefits of the law, and signalled continued engagement with partners to translate legal guarantees into accessible infrastructure and services nationwide.
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