By Jacinta Nwachukwu
The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish a National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies to enhance coordination and promote effective disability governance across states.
Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr Ayuba Gufwan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a two-day inauguration workshop for the forum.
Gufwan said the forum aimed to strengthen collaboration between the national commissions and state-level disability commissions to create a shared vision for inclusion across Nigeria.
“It’s about creating a shared vision for inclusion, one where every state contributes to and benefits from a coordinated national system that empowers persons with disabilities to live in dignity, equality, and independence,” he said.
According to him, the forum will identify priority areas for action and advocacy, particularly in education, while fostering partnerships among federal and state disability agencies.
“It will serve as a bridge, a platform for fair learning, networking, and coordination among disability stakeholders across all states,” Gufwan added.
Delivering a keynote address, Dr Deji Ademefun of ActionAid Nigeria, said many Nigerians with disabilities still faced exclusion in education, employment, and political participation due to systemic barriers.
Speaking on the topic “Progressing on Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria: Moving from Policy to Practice through Effective Intergovernmental Relations,” he urged the government to move from policy declarations to practical implementation.
“Indeed, Nigeria has made remarkable progress in establishing policy and legal frameworks that affirm the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities,” Ademefun said.
He cited the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 and the creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as landmark milestones in advancing inclusion.
“These steps demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to the Sustainable Development Goals principle of leaving no one behind,” he noted.
However, he stressed that “policies and laws alone do not change things, practice does,” calling for increased budgetary commitments and data-driven planning.
“The budget allocation for disability inclusion remains largely symbolic, while data on persons with disabilities is often fragmented or outdated, making effective planning difficult,” Ademefun said.
He commended NCPWD’s ongoing efforts to develop a more comprehensive and disaggregated database on persons with disabilities across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Abiemwense Moru
