Disability Commission pledges to address plight of PWDs

The discussion between the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities and the United Nations signals a new era of collaboration aimed at breaking the barriers to accessibility, education, and employment for PWDs, ensuring they have equal opportunities to thrive in the country. Photo: Ebere Ukeje/Radio Nigeria

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) says efforts are on to cater to the well-being of more than 30 million Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.

Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, said in a statement that there was an urgent need for increased financial support and the establishment of decentralised offices to better serve the disability community.

According to Mr Gufwan, the commission currently operates from a rented facility, which severely limits its ability to implement essential accessibility improvements.

He said the Commission’s current budget allocation was far below the N60 billion required to address infrastructure gaps affecting PWDs.

“NCPWD currently operates out of a rented facility, limiting its capacity to make necessary changes for better access

Our current budget allocation of ₦2 billion is a far cry from the ₦60 billion needed to properly address the infrastructural and service gaps for Nigeria’s disability community,” Gufwan said. “Without the proper resources, it is challenging to ensure the physical and social inclusion of PWDs across Nigeria.”

He also called for the establishment of state liaison offices across the states of the Federation.

The Commission’s policy framework has been presented to the United Nations Inclusion Coordinator to include Local Government Disability Framework, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Accessibility, Regulations Five-Year Strategic Plan, National Standard Operating Procedures on Inclusion and Access of Persons with Disabilities to Pre-Tertiary Education and Framework for the National Access-to-Work Scheme for PWDs in Nigeria, he explained.

Ekaite Judith Umoh, the United Nations Inclusion Coordinator in Nigeria, expressed concern over inadequate funding and restated the UN’s continued support for disability inclusion initiatives in Nigeria.

“The United Nations remains committed to supporting Nigeria in achieving greater inclusion for persons with disabilities. We will work closely with NCPWD to implement key accessibility regulations and advocate for systemic changes,” she pledged.

Writing by Ebere Ukeje; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Tony Okerafor