The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in its unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive justice systems in Nigeria, officially commenced a nationwide training program for justice actors on the theme: “A Strong Barrier to Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.” The inaugural training session was held at Pave Hotel and Suites, Kado, Abuja, on Monday, 20th May 2025.
The capacity building initiative is being conducted across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and targets key justice sector stakeholders including personnel from the Nigeria Correctional Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant justice institutions.
In his opening address, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms to eliminate barriers to justice for persons with disabilities. According to Hon. Gufwan:
> “Access to justice is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right. Yet, millions of Nigerians with disabilities continue to face physical, systemic, and attitudinal barriers that prevent them from fully participating in legal processes. This training is not just a program; it is a call to action for every justice actor to be an advocate for equity, inclusion, and dignity. We are building a Nigeria where justice is not selective, but accessible to all.”
The comprehensive training explored critical themes such as:
Review of relevant national and international legal frameworks governing access to justice for persons with disabilities;
Physical and procedural accessibility as a foundational element of an inclusive justice system;
Gender, disability, and justice, with a special focus on the vulnerabilities faced by women and girls with disabilities;
Strategies for eliminating discrimination within legal and correctional institutions;
And the role of law enforcement agencies in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of Compliance and Enforcement at the NCPWD, Prince Ikem Uchegbulam Esq, charged participants to reexamine institutional practices through the lens of disability rights. He stated:
> “Discrimination—whether overt or subtle—remains a pervasive barrier that silences the voices of persons with disabilities in our justice system. We must shift from tokenism to transformative inclusion. This training represents a landmark movement to institutionalize respect, accessibility, and compliance in all our justice and correctional procedures. Every law enforcement officer here has the power to effect that change.”
The training attracted active engagement and shared commitments from representatives of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Police Force, and other frontline agencies. Participants commended the Commission for providing a platform to deepen their understanding of legal and ethical responsibilities toward persons with disabilities.
The NCPWD reiterated its determination to continue strengthening partnerships with the judiciary, security agencies, and civil society organizations to dismantle all forms of discrimination, ensuring a justice system that upholds the rights and dignity of every Nigerian, regardless of ability.