Persons with disabilities have renewed calls for greater inclusion in Nigeria’s political space, urging authorities to move beyond policy rhetoric and address structural barriers limiting their participation in governance, education and employment.
The call was made during a town hall meeting in Asaba, Delta State, where stakeholders drawn from advocacy groups, media, healthcare and policy circles examined challenges confronting persons with disabilities and proposed practical solutions.
Participants argued that the absence of persons with disabilities in decision-making positions continues to weaken the effectiveness of policies designed to protect their rights.
The President of the Isaac Joshua Initiative for Disabilities, Isaac Odjuwu, stressed that meaningful reforms can only be achieved when persons with disabilities are directly involved in the lawmaking process.
According to him, creating designated seats for persons with disabilities in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly would ensure their voices are reflected in policies that affect their lives.
Stakeholders at the forum also identified poor implementation of existing disability laws as a major setback, noting that several policies remain ineffective due to weak enforcement mechanisms.
The Asagba of Asaba, Epiphany Azinge, said the focus should shift from policy formulation to practical implementation, adding that existing legal frameworks must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Beyond governance, participants highlighted everyday challenges, including limited access to inclusive education, inaccessible infrastructure and persistent discrimination in the labour market.
A visually impaired teacher, Sola Idowu, shared his struggle to secure employment for over a decade, attributing it to systemic bias and lack of inclusive hiring practices.
Another participant, Chinedu Uwabuofu, recounted difficulties encountered during his studies due to inaccessible learning environments, which often excluded him from fully participating in academic activities.
The meeting also examined gaps in healthcare access and welfare support, with stakeholders calling for targeted interventions to address the needs of persons with disabilities.
Participants emphasised the need for coordinated efforts among government institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector to dismantle barriers and promote inclusion.
They further called for accountability in the implementation of disability policies, stressing that inclusive governance remains critical to achieving equitable development.