The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hon Ayuba Gufwan, today welcomed the United Nations Inclusion Coordinator in Nigeria, Madam Ekaite Judith Umoh, for a high-level strategic engagement aimed at strengthening disability inclusion efforts across the country.
During the meeting, Hon Gufwan outlined some of the commission’s most pressing challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for infrastructural development, comprehensive data collection, and adequate funding. He highlighted that the commission currently operates from a rented facility, restricting the ability to implement necessary structural modifications for improved accessibility. Furthermore, he stressed the critical need for accurate and extensive data on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to drive evidence-based policy decisions.
The Executive Secretary also underscored the stark funding gap hindering the commission’s effectiveness. He noted that while a minimum of ₦60 billion is required to facilitate infrastructural advancements for Nigeria’s over 35 million Persons with Disabilities, only ₦2 billion was approved—an amount grossly insufficient to address the vast needs of the disability community.
Hon Gufwan further advocated for the establishment of state liaison offices across all 36 states, alongside local engagement centers in the 774 local government areas of Nigeria. These initiatives, he explained, would decentralize the commission’s operations, ensuring that Persons with Disabilities can access essential services and support without the burden of traveling to Abuja.
Recognizing the imperative of multi-sectoral collaboration, the Executive Secretary reiterated his commitment to securing robust partnerships, not only from the government but also from private sector stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and global development partners, particularly the United Nations.
In response, Madam Ekaite Judith Umoh expressed deep concern over the limited financial resources allocated to the commission. She reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to disability inclusion, pledging to work closely with the NCPWD to “hit the ground running” in ensuring the implementation of accessibility regulations and other strategic interventions.
The commission also presented its structured approach to systemic reforms, particularly in the education sector. It has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Inclusion and Access of Persons with Disabilities to Pre-Tertiary Education, a groundbreaking manual designed to guide classroom teachers in delivering inclusive education.
As part of its policy framework, the commission formally presented the following critical documents to the United Nations Inclusion Coordinator:
1. Local Government Disability Framework
2. National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Accessibility Regulations
3. Five-Year Strategic Plan
4. National Standard Operating Procedures on Inclusion and Access of Persons with Disabilities to Pre-Tertiary Education
5. Framework for the National Access-to-Work Scheme for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria
The meeting concluded with a formal handover of these key policy documents to Madam Ekaite Judith Umoh, marking the beginning of a strengthened alliance between the NCPWD and the United Nations in advancing disability rights and inclusion in Nigeria.