The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has joined Nigerians and the global disability community in commemorating the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), with a renewed call for collective action to advance disability inclusion and social progress across the country.
This year’s theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” aligns with Nigeria’s goals of promoting equity, social justice, and national development. The Commission emphasized that persons with disabilities remain a vital source of talent, creativity, and innovation, and deserve full recognition and inclusion in the nation’s growth efforts.
In a statement issued by the Executive Secretary, Chief Ayuba Gufwan Burki, the NCPWD reaffirmed that disability inclusion is a human right and a constitutional mandate—not an act of charity. The Commission noted that empowering persons with disabilities strengthens democracy, enhances community development, and accelerates the nation’s progress toward a just and inclusive future.
While acknowledging progress made in the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, the Commission stressed that much more is required from all sectors to meet the Act’s full objectives. It called for renewed collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to deepen disability-inclusive policies and practices.
The NCPWD highlighted several priority areas requiring urgent attention, including inclusive governance, accessible education, economic empowerment, healthcare, and improved accessibility in public buildings, transportation, and digital spaces. The Commission urged employers and government agencies to enforce the Act’s mandate of allocating at least 5% of public sector jobs to qualified persons with disabilities, while also dismantling systemic barriers in the labour market.
The Commission further called for full compliance with the Persons with Disabilities (Accessibility) Regulations, 2023, to ensure equal access to public infrastructure and information systems.
As Nigeria joins the world to mark the 2025 IDPD, the Commission emphasized that inclusion is a foundation for sustainable development and national progress. “Inclusion is progress. Accessibility is justice. Empowerment is the future,” the statement noted.
Chief Burki reaffirmed the NCPWD’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, promoting awareness, enforcing compliance, and strengthening partnerships that enable Nigerians with disabilities to reach their full potential.
The Commission urged all sectors of society to work together to build a Nigeria where disability never limits opportunity and where inclusion becomes a national standard.
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