Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to disability inclusion and the full implementation of the National Disability Act during the official launch of the Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development (D-RAPID) in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, underscored the urgency of translating policy into action.
He noted that the moratorium period for the implementation of the National Disability Act had ended, signaling the need for decisive steps to advance the rights of persons with disabilities across the country.
The D-RAPID project, a three-year initiative co-funded by Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) International and the European Union (EU), is designed to promote disability rights and drive inclusive development. Hon. Isa emphasized that the success of the project would depend on strong partnerships and sustained advocacy, adding that Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) must play a leading role in its execution.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to inclusive governance, he referenced the country’s signing of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in October 2023 as a landmark step.
The launch event was attended by prominent dignitaries and stakeholders. CBM’s Country Director, Omoi Samuel, highlighted the significance of D-RAPID in pushing the boundaries of disability inclusion in Nigeria.
Delta State’s Governor, represented by Hon. Ernest Igbuzor, Special Assistant on Disability Matters and Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Delta, commended the project’s focus on Delta State and affirmed the state’s readiness to partner with CBM.
Similarly, the Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Comrade Saater Tiser, welcomed the initiative as a timely boost for disability advocacy in the state, especially as Benue prepares to domesticate its own Disability Law.
Other notable speakers included Bright Ekweremadu, Global Head of Programme Implementation at CBM, and Wynyfred Achu Egbuson, Programme Manager for Civil Society Organization Strengthening at the EU Delegation. Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
The D-RAPID project is expected to be a transformative force in the country’s disability rights landscape, with stakeholders calling for collective action to ensure its long-term success.
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