The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), with support from the Fund for Global Human Rights and the Action Group on Free Civic Space, has engaged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, on strengthening the protection of civic space rights of persons with disabilities.
The high-level advocacy visit, held on March 17, 2026, in Ibadan, brought together disability leaders, cluster heads, and members of the media in a meeting with the State Commandant, Augustine Padonu.
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Speaking during the engagement, CCD Project Officer, Christiana Njoku, said the visit was aimed at raising awareness on civic space rights of persons with disabilities and advocating for more inclusive and responsive protection systems.
Also speaking, Senior Programme Officer, Florence Attah, shared findings from the Expanding Civic Space Rights project, highlighting challenges faced by civic actors with disabilities, including harassment, intimidation, communication barriers, and limited access to protection when their rights are violated.
She called on the NSCDC to adopt practical measures such as creating dedicated reporting channels for persons with disabilities, ensuring accessibility in offices and services, engaging sign language interpreters, and training officers on disability inclusion and civic rights.
Responding, the State Commandant welcomed the recommendations and pledged the command’s commitment to inclusive practices.
Padonu said the command would work towards establishing dedicated desk offices across the state command, 11 area commands, and 76 divisional offices to address disability-related issues.
He added that efforts would be made to ensure accessibility by locating such desks on ground floors and strengthening collaboration with CCD.
The commandant also expressed readiness to partner with CCD in training officers on disability inclusion, civic rights, and sign language to improve engagement with persons with disabilities and enhance service delivery.
He further disclosed plans to escalate proposals on the employment of persons with disabilities as desk officers, as well as priority voting during civic processes, to the national leadership of the corps and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Representatives of disability clusters, including members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, called for improved accessibility, sign language training for officers, and inclusive practices across civic processes.
In her remarks, CCD Finance and Admin Manager, Florence Austin, commended the NSCDC for its prompt response and described the corps as a reliable partner, citing existing collaboration with the Lagos State Command.
She reaffirmed CCD’s commitment to supporting the Oyo State Command through training and other initiatives to promote disability-inclusive security practices.
The engagement, stakeholders said, marks a step towards building a more inclusive security system where persons with disabilities can participate in civic activities without fear of discrimination.
They also pledged continued collaboration to ensure that the commitments translate into lasting change.