The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to strengthen the nationwide implementation and enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The partnership was formalised during a familiarisation visit by the leadership of the NSCDC Persons with Disabilities Unit to the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President in Abuja. The collaboration is aimed at promoting compliance with the Disability Act, improving accessibility standards and advancing the rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Abba Isa described the NSCDC as a strategic institution with the operational capacity to drive compliance with accessibility regulations and protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities. He said the establishment of the Corps’ Persons with Disabilities Unit aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on disability inclusion and demonstrates the government’s commitment to building an inclusive society.
Abba Isa disclosed that President Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on the Implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, to accelerate nationwide compliance with the law. He noted that the success of the task force would depend on strong collaboration with institutions such as the NSCDC, particularly in enforcing accessibility standards across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), public institutions and public infrastructure.
The presidential aide also called on the Corps to support the implementation of the statutory five per cent employment quota for Persons with Disabilities in public institutions, as provided under the National Disability Act. He added that the partnership would further strengthen disability inclusion in national security operations, emergency response, disaster management and electoral processes, including preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, practical frameworks for joint advocacy, capacity building, monitoring, public enlightenment and enforcement would be developed to deepen compliance with the Disability Act and improve the quality of life of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities.
Earlier, the Deputy Commandant of the Corps, DCC Jummai Salamatu Adegoke, who led the delegation, said the visit was aimed at officially introducing the NSCDC Persons with Disabilities Unit, familiarising the team with the mandate of the presidential office and identifying areas of collaboration to advance disability inclusion.
Adegoke disclosed that the Unit was established in 2023 on the directive of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Abubakar Ahmed Audi, to strengthen the protection and enforcement of the rights of Persons with Disabilities. She said the Unit currently has 13 officers at the National Headquarters and operates disability desks in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
She explained that the Unit, headed by Commandant Patience Andrew, is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Disability Act and responding to complaints from Persons with Disabilities. She added that the Unit has handled several disability-related cases since its establishment and also maintains an office at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to facilitate effective implementation of the law.
Adegoke commended the disability inclusion initiatives of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration between both institutions would enhance the enforcement of disability laws, promote accessibility and improve the protection of the rights of Persons with Disabilities nationwide.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Abba Isa reaffirmed his office’s commitment to building a strong and enduring partnership with the NSCDC to promote accessibility, equal opportunities and the full implementation of the National Disability Act across Nigeria.
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