The European Union (EU), urged Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the full implementation of the National Disability Act, emphasizing the need for deliberate action to foster an inclusive society that empowers persons with disabilities.
This call was made during a national dialogue held in Abuja to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The event, themed “Transformative Solutions to Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria,” was organised by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, with support from the EU through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Speaking on behalf of the EU ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ruben Alba Aguilera, Head of the Governance, Security, and Migration Section, raised concerns about the exclusion of persons with disabilities in development planning.
“People with disabilities are being left behind in development,” Aguilera stated.
“Despite commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, interventions often fail to include them, exposing them to heightened risks of violence, poverty, poor health outcomes, and limited access to education and employment opportunities.
This is avoidable, but deliberate action is needed to ensure disability inclusion,” Aguiletra continued.
Aguilera highlighted that over 35 million Nigerians live with disabilities, with the majority living below the poverty line.
He commended the government for enacting the Disability Rights Law and establishing the NCPWD but stressed the urgency of its implementation.
“A law is only as effective as its execution.
We must dedicate sufficient resources and take decisive steps to enforce the provisions of this Act,” he added.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, represented by Sunday Hezekiah, Director of the Special Needs Department, acknowledged the funding challenges faced in implementing disability-focused projects.
He called for increased budgetary allocations to ensure the Act’s mandates, including education and welfare, are fulfilled.
NCPWD Executive Secretary Ayuba Gufwan called for greater leadership and accountability in promoting disability inclusion, urging stakeholders to evaluate progress and set clear goals for the future.
Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, stressed the importance of collaboration among policymakers, civil society, and development partners.
“Awareness is key,” Isa said.
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse; we must act now to address these issues,” he contined.
Danladi Plang, Head of Programme for the RoLAC Programme, underscored the importance of integrating the needs of persons with disabilities in national planning.
“Sustainable development cannot be achieved without prioritising the inclusion of persons with disabilities,” he remarked.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to promoting disability-inclusive initiatives in Nigeria through international partnerships and support programs, pledging to continue prioritising the welfare of persons with disabilities.
