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| Dr. Chike Okogwu, founder and Chief Responsibility Officer of the Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE) Nigeria, speaking at the 2026 Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day |
Disability advocate and founder of the Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment, Chike Okogwu, has called for greater opportunities for persons with disabilities, stressing that they need inclusion and access to opportunities rather than pity.
Okogwu made the call during the 2026 Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, where he reflected on his personal experience with spinal cord injury and the role it has played in shaping his advocacy journey.
Speaking at the event, Okogwu said people living with spinal cord injuries and other forms of disability should not allow their circumstances to define the limits of their potential.
He noted that many persons who have become prominent voices in disability advocacy were previously unknown, but their experiences had given them the opportunity to speak up and advocate for others.
“God, in writing our scripts as human beings, decides where our ladder should lean on. And if He has used this ladder of spinal cord injury and disability to raise us up, so be it,” he said.
According to Okogwu, his own experience has shown that disability can become a pathway to purpose, leadership and greater visibility when people are given the right support and opportunities.
Calls for stronger disability inclusion
The advocate urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to remove barriers that limit the participation of persons with disabilities in society.
He specifically called for increased investment in accessible infrastructure, rehabilitation, transportation, education and technology, saying these areas are essential to improving the independence and quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Okogwu also highlighted the importance of accessibility in public buildings and spaces.
Recalling his experience at the venue, he said he had first visited the building about 20 years ago following the accident that resulted in his spinal cord injury.
He expressed satisfaction that persons with disabilities were able to access the building without major difficulties, while acknowledging that more work was still needed.
“We are not where we want to be yet, but we’re not where we used to be,” he said.
Disability advocacy and visibility
Okogwu said disability advocacy has also helped many people with disabilities gain visibility and have their voices heard on issues affecting their lives.
He stressed that the goal should be to create a society where persons with disabilities are recognised for their abilities and contributions rather than defined by their impairments.
His comments come as disability advocates continue to push for greater implementation of accessibility and inclusion measures, including improved access to public infrastructure, transportation, education, employment and technology.
Call for political unity
The disability advocate also urged political parties and political actors to work together on issues that affect persons with disabilities and other Nigerians.
According to him, political differences should not prevent stakeholders from supporting initiatives that improve people's lives.
“Politics is not war. Politics is unity,” he said.
Okogwu maintained that although Nigeria still has significant gaps to close in disability inclusion, progress has been made, adding that the country should build on those gains to create a more accessible and inclusive society.