The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has convened a high-level stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja to develop Nigeria’s roadmap ahead of the African Inclusive Economic Summit (AIES) scheduled to hold in London later this year.
The meeting, held at the Commission’s national headquarters, brought together representatives of organisations of persons with disabilities, government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders to formulate practical recommendations that will shape Nigeria’s contributions at the summit.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Compliance and Enforcement at the NCPWD, Barr. Nkem Uchebulam, commended stakeholders for their unwavering advocacy and commitment to promoting disability inclusion in Nigeria and beyond. He acknowledged the Commission’s ongoing efforts to advance the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities despite existing challenges, stressing the importance of collective action.
“If all hands are on deck, we will surmount the challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for persons with disabilities,” Uchebulam said, urging stakeholders to sustain collaboration in driving inclusive development.
The roundtable, moderated by Ms. Susan Ihuoma, focused on reviewing the objectives of the African Inclusive Economic Summit and the significance of its London edition, while assessing the current state of disability-inclusive economic development in Nigeria.
Participants also examined the major challenges and opportunities surrounding the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities, developed policy recommendations for presentation at the summit, and explored strategies to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and development partners.
The meeting further identified priority actions aimed at advancing inclusive economic growth, expanding opportunities, and promoting the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration in ensuring that the interests and aspirations of persons with disabilities are adequately represented at the African Inclusive Economic Summit and reflected in national policies.
Among those in attendance were Dr. Bumi Dauda of the African Inclusive Economic Summit Secretariat, Ms. Susan Ihuoma, Mr. Joseph Uwelo, National Representative of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Mr. Maxwell Nwaze of HEPPI, Mr. Lanre Oloyede, representative of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Ms. Kolastica Kalama of the Women Development Centre, and directors of the NCPWD.
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