The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has officially unveiled the 2024 State of Disability Inclusion Report in Abuja. The report marks a significant milestone in assessing Nigeria’s progress on disability inclusion and mapping out strategic priorities for the future.
Speaking at the event, Isa stressed that disability inclusion must not be viewed as an act of charity, but as a matter of governance, justice, and human rights. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to integrate disability issues across all sectors of national development—ranging from laws and policies to programs and infrastructure.
A key highlight of the report is Nigeria’s leadership in implementing the African Disability Protocol (ADP), which the country ratified in October 2023. Isa noted that efforts are underway to harmonize national laws and policies with the protocol’s provisions, positioning Nigeria as a potential model for disability rights implementation across the continent.
In June 2024, the government also launched the Beyond Disability Project, a groundbreaking initiative centered on data-driven inclusion. The project encompasses accessibility audits of public buildings, the adoption of inclusive hiring practices across government institutions, and specialized programs aimed at empowering women and girls with disabilities.
The report outlines several strategic recommendations. These include the urgent need for the full implementation of the National Disability Act (2018) in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and the establishment of robust enforcement mechanisms to combat discrimination and violence against persons with disabilities. It also calls for the integration of disability rights and inclusive policies into Nigeria’s upcoming 2025–2030 national development plans.
Additionally, the report proposes the creation of a Disability Rights Observatory and a dedicated Research Unit to monitor progress and inform policy decisions. It emphasizes the importance of using accessible communication formats such as sign language, Braille, and local languages to ensure inclusive participation by all Nigerians. To drive implementation, it recommends the formation of technical working groups and a national steering committee with clearly defined roles and budgets at both federal and state levels.
Isa called on government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities to work collaboratively to turn the report’s vision into concrete action.
“This report is more than a document; it’s a roadmap,” he stated. “It represents our collective responsibility to build a Nigeria where disability is not a barrier, but a platform for innovation, inclusion, and national progress.”
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to disability rights and inclusion, pledging to continue the push until equal opportunity becomes a lived reality for all Nigerians.
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1 comment
Very impressive