In a proactive step toward greater inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), visited the National Population Commission (NPC) headquarters in Abuja.
This visit reflects NCPWD’s dedication to acquiring a precise and detailed demographic profile of PWDs in Nigeria, emphasizing gender and disability-specific classifications.
Chief Gufwan highlighted that comprehensive data collection has long posed challenges in Nigeria, limiting effective support for the PWD community. “Accurate data on the number of Persons with Disabilities by category and gender is vital for advancing inclusion,” he stated.
Recalling the 2006 census, Chief Gufwan shared a personal story of how an enumerator filled out his form prematurely, leading to an uninformed signature. He expressed concern that if an educated PWD could face such oversight, those with fewer resources might experience greater obstacles.
NPC Chairman Hon. Kwarra acknowledged the gap since Nigeria’s last census in 2006, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a significant delay factor. Nevertheless, he assured Chief Gufwan of NPC’s commitment under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to prioritize PWD inclusion and pledged support for a technologically enhanced, inclusive census.
The meeting concluded with a gift exchange, symbolizing their shared resolve to improve the inclusion and rights of PWDs in Nigeria. Under Chief Gufwan’s leadership, the NCPWD remains dedicated to championing accessibility, equal opportunity, and integration for Persons with Disabilities nationwide.