By Grace Dalla, Abuja
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), led by its Executive Secretary, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Abuja to deliberate on Nigeria’s commitments ahead of the 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS) in Germany.
Bringing together key stakeholders—including government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)—the meeting aimed to develop a comprehensive roadmap to advance disability rights, inclusion, and well-being in Nigeria. A strategic working plan was formulated to guide Nigeria’s official commitments at the summit.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s Commitment to Disability Inclusion
In his opening remarks, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan emphasized the significance of the Global Disability Summit as an international platform for assessing progress, renewing commitments, and fostering global partnerships to advance disability rights.
“The Global Disability Summit is not just an event; it is an opportunity for nations to reaffirm their dedication to inclusion, accessibility, and equal participation for persons with disabilities. It allows us to reflect on our achievements, address existing gaps, and strengthen partnerships for sustainable change,” Hon. Gufwan stated.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s progress since the inaugural Global Disability Summit in 2018, he commended the Federal Government for enacting the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which led to the establishment of the NCPWD. He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including Sightsavers, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, whose support has been instrumental in driving disability inclusion efforts.
Legislative Support for a More Inclusive Nigeria
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Hon. Daudu Bashir, praised the NCPWD and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for fostering dialogue among stakeholders. He emphasized the need for a unified national vision as Nigeria prepares for the 2025 summit.
“Caring for persons with disabilities is not an act of charity—it is a fundamental human right and a moral obligation of any just society. It is about restoring and preserving human dignity, which is central to national development,” Hon. Bashir remarked.
He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting and supporting policies that ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of national life.
Addressing Past Commitments and Future Priorities
Sightsavers, represented by Mr. Rasak Adekoya, provided insights into Nigeria’s progress on past GDS commitments. He noted that while Nigeria successfully submitted and met its 2018 commitments, the commitments from the 2022 summit had yet to be officially submitted.
“We will ensure that commitments enabling the government to achieve its 2018–2025 GDS goals are harmonized and submitted at the 2025 summit. Additionally, any unfulfilled commitments from 2018 will be reviewed and enforced into action,” Mr. Adekoya assured.
Adebukola Adebayo stressed the need to prioritize the most vulnerable persons with disabilities, particularly children, ensuring that their unique concerns are addressed.
JONAPWD President, Abdullahi Usman, outlined key areas where commitments must be strengthened, including: economic empowerment opportunities for persons with disabilities, accessibility of public buildings, enforcement of the Disability Act, a national awareness campaign, inclusive healthcare and education by 2025, strengthened penalties for violations of the Disability Act, financial assistance for persons with disabilities by 2026, improved data collection to inform policy decisions, a Collaborative Effort Towards an Inclusive Future.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 Global Disability Summit, this strategic stakeholders’ engagement marks a significant step in defining national priorities and reinforcing the country’s commitment to building an inclusive, equitable, and accessible society for all.
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