The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to public and private buildings, including financial institutions, that are not compliant with the accessibility law for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
Mr. Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), highlighted this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria following a disturbing incident involving Mr. Chris Agbo, a wheelchair user.
On September 18, Agbo was reportedly denied access to essential banking services at a well-known bank in Area 3, Abuja, due to the bank’s failure to provide ramps and other assistive infrastructure.
Gufwan emphasized that this is a common issue despite the 2018 Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, which mandates all public and private organizations to make their facilities accessible to PwDs. He pointed out that such negligence often forces PwDs to rely on third parties, which compromises their financial security, especially when using services like ATMs.
The NCPWD is set to launch an investigation into Agbo’s case and other similar violations. Gufwan made it clear that organizations found guilty will face serious consequences, including potential closure.
He stressed that the grace period for compliance, which expired last year, leaves no room for further excuses. The commission will now rigorously enforce the law through monitoring and sanctions to ensure all public-serving buildings are fully accessible to PwDs.