THE NATIONAL Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has developed a guideline to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Ayuba Gufwan, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the State of Disability Inclusion Report in Nigeria (SDIRN) 2024, which was conducted by Project Enable Africa in collaboration with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
Described as the first comprehensive national assessment of its kind, the report provides data-driven insights on disability inclusion across sectors such as education, health, employment, policy, and social protection.
It identifies critical gaps and opportunities to strengthen inclusive practices and governance in Nigeria.
Represented by Mr Nkem Uchegbulam, Gufwan said the newly developed guideline would facilitate the enforcement of accessibility standards and the issuance of compliance certificates.
“Effective and efficient enforcement mechanisms have been put in place under my leadership to safeguard the rights and liberties of persons with disabilities,” he said.
He described the Act as one of the most significant legislative gains for the disability community.
Mr Mohammed Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, noted that the five-year transition period outlined in the Disability Act had expired, yet many public spaces remained inaccessible.
He identified inadequate funding, poor enforcement, low awareness, and weak coordination as major barriers to full implementation.
Isa said efforts were underway, in collaboration with the Head of the Civil Service, to introduce implementation and accountability frameworks across ministries, departments, and agencies.
“This report is more than a review, it is a national call to action,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Maryam Keshinro, lamented the continued marginalisation of persons with disabilities.
“Their voices, experiences, and aspirations are often ignored. But with this report, we can change that narrative and demonstrate true national commitment to inclusion and equality,” she said.
Keshinro highlighted the compounded challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities, including exclusion from education, healthcare, and economic participation.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of Project Enable Africa, Mr Kola Olugbodi, stressed the importance of reliable data to guide policies and measure impact.
“This report moves us in the right direction. It shows us what’s working, what isn’t, and what still needs urgent attention,” he said.
Giving an overview of the findings, Mr Bukola Adebayo said only 23 states had domesticated the Disability Act as of 2024.
He recommended nationwide accessibility audits and increased funding for both disability-specific programmes and mainstream inclusion.
He also urged the commission to support a review of national and state health insurance schemes to accommodate the unique needs of persons with disabilities.
“Where insurance schemes exist, they must be disability-inclusive,” he added. (NAN)
