The European Union has urged Nigeria’s Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to fully implement the National Disability Act to ensure its provisions create meaningful change.
Highlighting the comprehensive policies outlined in the Act, the EU noted that its true potential lies in fostering inclusion, promoting diversity, and advancing social equity. However, these objectives remain unfulfilled due to insufficient implementation.
This call was made during a national dialogue in Abuja commemorating this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Themed “Transformative Solutions to Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria,” the event was organized by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, with support from the EU through its Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Ruben Alba Aguilera, Head of the Governance, Security, and Migration Section at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, represented the EU Ambassador-Designate, Guartier Mignot. Aguilera voiced concerns about the exclusion of persons with disabilities in development efforts despite Nigeria being a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“People with disabilities are being left behind,” Aguilera said. “They face societal barriers that exacerbate risks of violence, poverty, poor health, and limited opportunities for education and employment. This exclusion is neither acceptable nor inevitable; deliberate actions must be taken to ensure disability inclusion.”
Aguilera emphasized the dire statistics, noting that over 35 million Nigerians live with disabilities, with 90% of them below the poverty line. While commending the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, he stressed the importance of moving beyond legislation to implementation.
“A law is only as powerful as its execution,” Aguilera said. “It is time to act, allocate resources, and ensure this law transforms lives.”
Speakers at the event, including Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, called for greater funding and leadership to address these challenges. Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, added, “This is a moment for reflection. We must assess our progress and take decisive steps toward true inclusion.”
The EU reaffirmed its dedication to disability inclusion through ongoing partnerships and development initiatives in Nigeria.
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