The United Nations is partnering with the Nigerian government to address systemic challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) and ensure they are no longer marginalized or deprived of their rights.
On Tuesday, the UN convened a Review and Validation of the Situation Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a Multistakeholder Capacity-Building Workshop at its Abuja headquarters. The event, hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), brought together key stakeholders to discuss the findings of a nationwide assessment conducted earlier this year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Abdourahamane Diallo, UNESCO Representative to Nigeria and Head of the Abuja Office, highlighted the significance of the workshop.
“This event represents a crucial step in our collective journey toward disability inclusion in Nigeria. The Situation Analysis offers valuable insights into the status, challenges, and opportunities for persons with disabilities, aligning with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and our shared commitment to equity and inclusion,” Diallo stated.
He emphasized critical areas requiring immediate attention, including the need to revise the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, to make it fully CRPD-compliant.
Key gaps identified include:
- Exclusion of private organizations from the mandated 5% employment quota for PWDs.
- Lack of provisions for reasonable workplace accommodations and assistive technologies.
- Absence of guarantees for digital accessibility.
- A missing costed implementation plan for the Act.
Diallo stressed the importance of engaging Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in legislative amendments and leveraging international cooperation to drive the process forward.
Additionally, he called for enhancing the capacity of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to serve as an independent monitoring body for disability rights. This would involve developing guidelines and operational structures for disability inclusion and ensuring meaningful participation from OPDs.
Addressing the significant disability data gap, Diallo urged the Nigerian government to implement the Nigeria Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan with specific annual targets, indicators, and budget allocations. He also underscored the urgency of finalizing and rolling out the Revised National Policy on Inclusive Education (2023) with a comprehensive, costed implementation plan to guarantee access to quality education for all.
“Today marks the beginning of a process that will ensure these challenges are addressed comprehensively,” Diallo concluded.
