By Chukwunyere Kelsey Nwosu
Inclusive News Network
ABUJA, September 17, 2026 — The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has moved to give Nigeria’s persons with disabilities a national platform for talent discovery and career development, unveiling a proposed ₦1 billion Ability Talent Fund as preparations intensify for the PWDs Got Talent Reality TV Show 2026.
The Commission also inaugurated six strategic sub-committees on Thursday in Abuja to coordinate the implementation of the reality show, which is being developed in partnership with the Discovering Abilities in Disabilities Initiative (DADI).
The initiative is positioned as Nigeria’s first inclusive national reality talent show dedicated to persons with disabilities and is designed to challenge stereotypes around disability by placing talent, creativity and ability at the centre of public attention.
The organisers said the show, themed “Discovering Abilities in Disabilities,” will seek to identify talented Nigerians with disabilities, provide them with mentorship and exposure, and create pathways for them to build sustainable careers.
The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, represented at the inauguration by the Commission’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Aliyu Agwai, said the project was conceived to change the way society views persons with disabilities.
“Some time ago, we conceived an idea — to change the narrative from sympathy to ability, from charity to talent and empowerment. That idea has today become PWDs Got Talent Reality TV Show 2026,” Gufwan said.
He said the initiative goes beyond entertainment, describing it as an opportunity to discover and develop talents while creating role models capable of changing perceptions about disability.
At the centre of the proposed programme is the ₦1 billion Ability Talent Fund, which the Commission says will support talent rewards, enterprise development and the sustainability of participants’ careers after the reality show.
Gufwan said the project was intended to give Nigerians with disabilities an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on a national platform.
“This assignment is not just about a reality show. It is about creating role models, changing mindsets, and giving over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities a platform to show the world that there is ability in disability,” he said.
Under the proposed format, 20 finalists will be selected from across Nigeria, with representation from the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.
The finalists are expected to spend 30 days in the reality-show environment, where they will participate in talent-based activities and receive mentorship aimed at helping them develop their skills and visibility.
Founder and Creative Director of DADI, Mr. Steve Rodstick Ezeh, said the project was born out of the need to provide greater opportunities for persons with disabilities whose talents often remain hidden because of limited access to platforms and professional opportunities.
Ezeh said the objective was not simply to produce a television programme but to create an ecosystem in which talented persons with disabilities could gain exposure, develop professionally and turn their abilities into sustainable careers.
Six committees to drive implementation
To translate the vision into reality, NCPWD inaugurated six sub-committees with responsibilities covering talent mobilisation, partnerships, publicity, marketing, logistics and accessibility.
The Contact and Mobilisation Committee will spearhead nationwide talent mobilisation across the 36 states and the FCT, working with JONAPWD, disability clusters, non-governmental organisations and community leaders.
The Proposal and Partnership Committee will focus on developing proposals, attracting sponsors and building partnerships with government institutions, corporate organisations and development partners.
The Media and Publicity Committee will coordinate media relations, television and radio publicity, digital communication and social media campaigns to build national awareness around the show.
The Branding and Marketing Committee will oversee the programme’s identity, advertising, merchandise and commercial opportunities.
The Logistics, Protocol and Entertainment Committee will handle venues, participant welfare, security, protocol, celebrity engagement and other production-related requirements.
The Inclusion and Compliance Committee will focus on ensuring that accessibility remains central to the programme, including sign-language interpretation, audio description and disability-sensitive content.
The dedicated inclusion structure is expected to help ensure that persons with different disabilities can participate meaningfully in the programme and access its opportunities.
Commissioning the committees, Gufwan declared: “By the powers conferred on me as the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, I hereby inaugurate the Sub-Committees for the PWDs Got Talent Reality TV Show 2026. Let us go and make history together.”
The ceremony was attended by NCPWD officials, DADI representatives and members of the media.
Among those present were Mr. Aliyu Agwai, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics; Mr. Lawrence Idemudia, Director of Social Integration; Mr. Carl Gonyen, Head of General Services; and Mr. Ishaku Gikbu, Head of the Media and Publicity Unit.
The DADI delegation was led by Ezeh and included members of the organisation’s project, logistics, board and media teams.
In his closing remarks, Idemudia commended DADI for promoting opportunities for persons with disabilities to showcase their talents and reaffirmed NCPWD’s commitment to the initiative.
The Commission subsequently called for wider support from government agencies, corporate organisations, development partners, the media and members of the public as preparations continue.
With the six committees now in place, the next phase is expected to focus on nationwide talent discovery, partnership mobilisation, publicity, accessibility planning and other preparations for the show.
For the disability community, the proposed ₦1 billion Ability Talent Fund could prove particularly significant if it translates the visibility generated by the reality show into long-term opportunities, business support and sustainable careers for participants.
The success of the initiative will therefore depend not only on the quality of the television production, but also on whether its promised talent development, funding and post-show opportunities deliver lasting impact for Nigerians with disabilities.
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