The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, on January 23, 2025, successfully defended its 2024 budget performance and presented its proposed 2025 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters.
The proposed budget for 2025 totals ₦2,103,094,169.00, encompassing critical initiatives such as the Disability Socio-Economic Empowerment Programme and the Gender and Development Programme for Women with Disabilities, among others. These programs are designed to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of persons with disabilities and foster gender inclusion, ensuring no one is left behind in national development.
In his remarks, Hon. Gufwan emphasized the challenges faced by the commission, particularly in ensuring constant power supply for its operations. He noted that the reliance on alternative energy sources like generators significantly impacts the commission’s expenses, stating:
“Despite allocations, we still face substantial challenges in sustaining basic operations due to inconsistent power supply. These additional costs strain our resources and hinder effective service delivery.”
The breakdown of the proposed 2025 budget includes:
Personnel Costs: ₦294,169,000
Overhead Costs: ₦763,256,207.00
Capital Expenditure: ₦1,045,668,671
This allocation reflects the commission’s commitment to delivering impactful programs that address the needs of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
The committee members raised concerns about the budgetary process, including challenges in securing releases from the budget office and the impacts of wage awards and salary adjustments on personnel costs. Hon. Gufwan acknowledged these issues and assured the committee that the proposed budget was carefully calculated based on current nominal rolls and anticipated expenses as of December 2024.
He further highlighted the importance of timely and adequate budgetary releases, stating:
“Performance depends largely on releases. Without adequate funding, key initiatives will be stifled. We appeal to this committee to advocate for timely and sufficient releases to enable us to meet our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and deliver meaningful results to the disability community.”
Earlier this month, the NCPWD defended its 2024 and proposed 2025 budgets before the Senate Committee on Special Duties, where similar discussions on resource allocation and performance were held.
The commission remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Nigeria through strategic programs, advocacy, and partnerships. Hon. Ayuba Gufwan reiterated his appreciation for the support of the National Assembly and urged continuous collaboration to address the challenges faced by the commission.