Climate change experts and disability advocates have underscored the urgent need to integrate young Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) into Nigeria’s growing green economy, emphasizing that inclusive policies are key to fair and effective energy transition strategies.
At a workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State, keynote speaker Amina Audu criticized the near absence of PwDs in national climate dialogues. She warned that the green economy, often hailed as the future of work, risks perpetuating the same structural barriers—such as inaccessible training, limited funding access, and non-inclusive policy frameworks—that have historically excluded disabled communities.
Audu stressed that PwDs are not merely beneficiaries but active solution providers with valuable insights into community resilience, innovation in sustainable practices, and grassroots mobilization. She urged the government to prioritise disability inclusion as a necessity for long-lasting climate solutions, not merely as a token gesture of fairness.
Hannah Omokhaye, Convener and Coordinator of the GreenAbility project, reinforced the message, stating that empowering young PwDs through education, leadership development, and mentorship in the green sector is critical to building a just and sustainable future.
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