The executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hon Ayuba Gufwan, has called for urgent measures to ensure inclusive development for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
He appeared at a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) workshop in Abuja, marking the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Highlighting the significant size of the PWD community, estimated at 35 million in Nigeria, Gufwan stressed the importance of integrating PWDs into national development plans.
He emphasised that this population exceeds that of many nations and deserves substantial attention.
“Having 35 million PWDs in a single country is enormous. It highlights the pressing need for accessibility in buildings, road infrastructure, and other critical areas to ensure inclusive development,” Gufwan stated.
He urged stakeholders across the development landscape to collaborate on removing barriers and creating opportunities for PWDs.
Gufwan also praised the UNODC’s commitment to fostering inclusion and reiterated NCPWD’s readiness to work with development partners to enhance the lives of PWDs.
He called for Nigeria to emulate developed countries, prioritising accessibility and inclusion in their planning processes.
Dr Adebayo, a consultant with the NCPWD, commended the UNODC for organising the workshop and highlighted the need for comprehensive demographic data on PWDs. He noted that such data would aid in formulating effective policies tailored to their needs.
“There is a need for detailed demographic data that includes breakdowns by gender, age, and disability type. This will promote meaningful inclusion and guide policy development,” Adebayo said.
He further called for an improved justice system to safeguard the rights of PWDs.
The UNODC Country Director, Cheikh Toure, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to inclusion, revealing plans to engage interns from the PWD community and integrate registered PWD academics into their programs by 2025.
In a related development, Hon. Gufwan lauded the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) for its initiative to empower 3,000 PWDs through a skill acquisition program.
He noted that the program would enhance the vocational skills and financial independence of PWDs, fostering entrepreneurship.
The Director General of NDE, Hon Silas Agara, disclosed that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which seeks to generate employment and alleviate poverty.
“The efforts by the NCPWD and its partners underscore a growing commitment to creating a more inclusive society where PWDs can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
