The National Commission for People with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accessibility and safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities through a high-level three-day Advocacy and Training Workshop in Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Training of Accessibility Audit Firms and Personnel”, convened key stakeholders including accessibility audit firms, professionals in physical accessibility, and building plan approval authorities. The initiative is part of the Commission’s broader strategy to ensure compliance with accessibility standards in the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure and public spaces across Nigeria.
Speaking during the workshop, Mr. Bitrus Iliya, Director of the Accessibility Department at NCPWD, stated:
“This training marks a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to eliminate physical barriers in Nigeria. Our goal is to ensure that building approval authorities and accessibility professionals are fully equipped to implement and enforce national standards. Accessibility is not a privilege—it is a right that must be protected and upheld in all aspects of development.”
Also speaking at the event, Justice Daniel Christopher of the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria emphasized the human rights dimension of accessibility:
> “Accessibility means creating physical environments and delivering services that everyone can use, regardless of disability. This is not merely a technical requirement—it is a matter of dignity and fundamental rights. People with disabilities deserve to go wherever they choose and participate fully in society.”
Throughout the three-day engagement, participants will take part in expert-led sessions focused on regulatory frameworks, auditing methodologies, and strategic approaches to mainstream accessibility in urban planning and infrastructure development.
The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to working with relevant agencies, development partners, and professionals to ensure Nigeria builds an inclusive environment where everyone—especially people with disabilities—can live, work, and thrive without physical or systemic barriers.