- Call for review and amendment to address emerging realities
Stakeholders have called for the immediate implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2019, also known as the National Disability Act. This demand was made during a two-day National Co-creations Stakeholders Convening in Abuja, organized by the Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE) in collaboration with the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Community of Practice. The event, themed “The National Disability Act post moratorium: Advancing Inclusion and Accessibility for the Vulnerable and Marginalized,” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including senior special assistants to governors on disability matters, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), implementing partners, and various government agencies.
The stakeholders emphasized the need to review and amend certain sections of the Act to align with current realities. They noted that while the Act was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari after nearly 19 years of advocacy, its implementation has been slow, with many rights holders calling for more rapid action. They pointed out that some sections of the Act require updates to better reflect emerging challenges and realities.
The convening aimed to address the inclusion and accessibility needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups following the recent expiration of the Act’s moratorium period on January 24, 2024. Discussions focused on the domestication and implementation of the Act at both national and state levels, with stakeholders strategizing on the next steps to ensure the Act effectively protects persons with disabilities and promotes their inclusion.
Participants identified several challenges hindering the full implementation of the Act, including inadequate budget allocations, lack of enforcement of penalties, and insufficient awareness among duty bearers and rights holders. They also highlighted that while some states have domesticated the Act and established disability commissions, the level of implementation varies significantly. States that have taken these steps include Anambra, Lagos, Ekiti, Rivers, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Abia, Delta, Kwara, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Edo, Adamawa, Plateau, Jigawa, and Ondo.
Key resolutions from the convening included advocating for the replacement of the term “integration” with “inclusion” in the Act’s language to ensure a more comprehensive approach to diversity, equity, and belonging. Stakeholders also committed to increasing collaboration and advocacy efforts, particularly through media campaigns and engagement with government officials, to strengthen the implementation of the Act.
Additional resolutions focused on improving communication between persons with disabilities and the wider community, enhancing the capacity of disability groups, and ensuring the establishment of disability commissions at the state level. The convening underscored the importance of a collective effort to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
Ahmad Mustapha, spokesperson for the Truth Alliance, reiterated the coalition’s commitment to exposing the manipulative tactics of extremist groups and empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence, aiming to build a safer, more resilient society through education, outreach, and collaboration.
