Persons With Disabilities Celebrates 2025 Day, Wants Improved Support From Government, Private Institutions, Others 

Despite years of advocacy and the passage of Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, millions still face daily obstacles, from inaccessible health centres and non-inclusive schools to unfavourable policy gaps and limited participation in governance.

The Voice Persons with Disabilities Community of Practice Network (Voice PWD CoP Network) made the disclosure on Wednesday while addressing newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), with a renewed call for urgent and concrete action to dismantle the barriers holding back over 27 million Nigerians with disabilities.

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Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Voice PWDs CoP Network, Favour Afokeoghene Adjara, who said the theme for this year is; “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” underscores a critical truth”, noted that Nigeria cannot achieve true development while persons with disabilities remain excluded from education, employment, digital access, and public life.

“The Voice PWD CoP Network wishes to categorically state that, “Disability inclusion is neither a favour nor charity but a matter of human rights, social justice, and smart national investment. 

“When persons with disabilities have equal access to opportunities, the entire society benefits from increased creativity, stronger communities, and more resilient economies.

The network therefore demands accountability from government, private institutions, and development actors to mainstream disability inclusion in all policies and programmes urging to move beyond rhetoric, saying real inclusion demands accessible infrastructure, effective laws, innovative technology, and investment in leadership by persons with disabilities, especially women and girls, who face double discrimination.

They further call on the Nigerian government  to; Ensure full accessibility of public infrastructure by modifying government offices, health facilities, and public transportation in accordance with the National Disability Act 2018. Effectively implement of the Inclusive Education Policy 2023 to include children with disabilities into mainstream educational systems. Expand economic opportunities and vocational training for persons with disabilities, and rigorously enforce the 5% minimum employment quota as stipulated in the National Disability Act 2018, and also,  domesticate, strengthen and fund disability-inclusive policies at state and national levels.

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Stressing that as part of this year’s IDPD activities, the CoP would convene nationwide conversations on: Bridging the digital divide and building inclusive online communities, inclusive digital communities and closing the digital divide, Promote safer online and physical environments for women and girls with disabilities.

The VOICE PWD CoP Network is an initiative of the linking and learning component of the VOICE Project in Nigeria and supported by Oxfam, a coalition of non-profit organizations dedicated to mutual learning, advocacy, and amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities (PWDs). 

The network provides a collaborative space for the disability community to connect, share experiences, and innovate solutions to the numerous challenges PWDs face with a strong focus on inclusive education, healthcare, employment, climate action, and economic empowerment. 

Since its establishment in 2021, the CoP has remained committed to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria by leveraging inclusive legal frameworks, building capacity among PWDs and stakeholders, providing accessible services, and partnering with key stakeholders to raise awareness and drive systemic change.

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In his own remark, the Executive Director of Disability Not A Barrier Initiative DINABI, Mr. Funso Olajide, described the day as  a brand new year for the members, pointing out that it’s important for them as a network to celebrate the year inspite of the challenges being faced by them globally and especially in Nigeria. 

“We have various legal frameworks, we have various laws and policies, but how much of these legal frameworks and policies have  been implemented to better the lot of Persons With Disabilities (PWD). Some of them are just being kept on the shelf.  He added. 

“The issue of social protection is there, the issue of climate change is there, the issue of health is there. A lot of issues are crying for solutions and yet, no solution has been provided. 

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“Today, we are calling on everyone across Nigeria and across the world to join us and ensure that at the end of the day, we have a social change that will benefit everyone”.

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