Abuja, Nigeria — October 8, 2025
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Special Olympics Nigeria have partnered with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to advance inclusive healthcare through the Rosemary Collaboratory Initiative — a pioneering effort aimed at improving health access, inclusion, and empowerment for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Nigeria.
A high-level meeting held at the NCPWD headquarters in Abuja brought together key stakeholders from the disability community, development partners, and representatives from other African countries. The discussions focused on strengthening inclusive health systems, advancing disability rights, and deepening multi-sectoral collaboration to ensure that persons with intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into national development frameworks.
Speaking at the meeting, Martina Onyenwe, Country Director of CHAI Nigeria, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative.
“The Rosemary Collaboratory represents a bold step toward building a more inclusive healthcare system. We are proud to work alongside Special Olympics Nigeria and the NCPWD to ensure that persons with intellectual disabilities are not left behind in Nigeria’s health and development agenda,” she said.
She added that the initiative prioritizes early interventions, education, and dignity, noting:
“This effort is not only about healthcare access; it’s about inclusion and empowerment. Through the Rosemary Collaboratory, we are creating sustainable pathways for persons with intellectual disabilities to live healthy, fulfilling lives.”
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, commended CHAI and Special Olympics Nigeria for their leadership and innovation in advancing disability inclusion through health.
“We commend CHAI and Special Olympics for this timely and collaborative approach,” Chief Gufwan stated. “The Commission remains fully committed to supporting this initiative and ensuring it aligns with our national disability policy frameworks. Discrimination and civilization cannot coexist — we must work together to build a Nigeria where everyone belongs. The Commission cannot do it alone; partnerships like this are essential for progress.”
The first phase of the Rosemary Collaboratory Initiative focuses on data collection, health systems strengthening, and capacity building for frontline healthcare workers to improve their ability to serve individuals with intellectual disabilities effectively.
The meeting also produced several key recommendations to enhance disability-inclusive health interventions in Nigeria and across Africa. Stakeholders agreed that governments must ensure persons with disabilities are included in decision-making processes so that no one is left behind. They also called for health systems to prioritize person-centered care, while empowerment and mobility support for persons with disabilities should be expanded nationwide. In addition, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening data collection to guide evidence-based policies and inclusive health programs.
The Rosemary Collaboratory Initiative honors the legacy of Rosemary Kennedy, whose life inspired a global movement for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities.
This partnership reaffirms a shared vision of a Nigeria where every individual — regardless of disability — has access to quality healthcare, equal opportunities, and a life of dignity.
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