The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Chief Ayuba Gufwan, has pledged to take appropriate action following the submission of a 4-year assessment report on disability inclusiveness in government policies. The report, presented by the Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, highlights the state of disability rights and the progress made since the signing of the Disability Act into law in 2018.
Speaking at the press briefing in Abuja, Gufwan expressed his commitment to improving the lives of the estimated 35.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities. "We are delighted to receive this report, and I promise to do the needful in order to advance the course of the disability community in Nigeria," he said. He added that the commission would carefully review the document, addressing its recommendations clause by clause to ensure meaningful progress.
The report documents the efforts of various disability pressure groups and their advocacy for better inclusion, and it also contains suggestions for advancing the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the country.
Gufwan also used the opportunity to draw attention to the increasing rate of disabilities in Nigeria, which he linked to the country's growing health challenges. He emphasized the importance of planning for Nigeria's projected population growth, stating, "We need to plan alongside the growing population, which is estimated to be above 250 million in the next 10 years."
Dr. Job Napoleon Agbor, the convener of the Pioneers of Nigeria National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement, praised Gufwan's leadership and dedication to the disability community. "I am so delighted to be here today to formally present the report of our findings over the years to you for a better administration in the next four years," Agbor said. However, he stressed that the aspirations of millions of Nigerians with disabilities are still unmet and called on the federal government to increase the commission’s budget.
"We appeal to the Federal Government to increase the budgetary allocation of the Commission to cater to the rising population of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria," Agbor stated.
The NCPWD Executive Secretary reiterated his commitment to making the necessary changes to improve the lives of people living with disabilities across the country.