The Federal Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to making assistive technology (AT) accessible, safe, and affordable for over 30.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
This renewed commitment was declared during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja commemorating the 2nd World Day for Assistive Technology. Held under the theme “Unlock the Everyday: Empowering Lives, Enhancing Inclusion,” the event served as a rallying point for government agencies, development partners, disability rights advocates, civil society organizations, and technical experts.
In her keynote address, Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme, National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Programme under the Ministry’s Public Health Department, emphasized that assistive technology is not a luxury, but a right.
“Access to assistive technology can be a game-changer in Nigeria,” Dr. Eme stated. “It unlocks independence, mobility, communication, education, and productivity for people with disabilities, older adults, and those living with chronic conditions.”
She outlined a broad range of AT solutions—ranging from spectacles, hearing aids, prosthetics, and wheelchairs to digital tools like screen readers, Braille displays, and accessible mobile apps. Dr. Eme stressed that rising demand for such technologies—driven by increasing life expectancy and a growing population with functional limitations—makes national investment in the sector both urgent and necessary.
In a side interview, Dr. Eme highlighted the Federal Government’s concrete steps to scale access through the Renewed Hope Outreach Connect Initiative. Under this initiative, assistive devices such as spectacles and hearing aids will soon be distributed to vulnerable populations across the country.
“This goes beyond raising awareness,” she explained. “We are laying the groundwork through supportive policies, guidelines, and focused outreach. The Renewed Hope Agenda puts people at the center, and our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian who needs assistive technology can access it.”
Notably, the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Programme—formerly focused solely on eye care—has now expanded its mandate to include hearing and sensory functions. This shift marks a more inclusive and holistic approach to disability-focused healthcare.
A key theme throughout the event was inclusive policymaking. Dr. Eme underscored the collaborative spirit of the meeting, which actively engaged voices from across sectors, including those of persons with disabilities.
“With 30 million Nigerians living with disabilities, no single entity can do this alone,” she said. “That’s why we’re fostering partnerships—with development agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and affected communities. It’s a step-by-step journey, but with collective effort, we will scale.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Amina Hassam Wali, Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, and Vice Chair of the Programme, offered a practical, field-level perspective. She emphasized the importance of integrating assistive technology into healthcare systems and everyday life, making it a standard—not an exception.
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1 comment
We are congratulations