The United Nations has reaffirmed its dedication to creating an inclusive, accessible, and equitable society where every individual can achieve their full potential, regardless of physical or intellectual barriers.
This commitment was highlighted during the UN National Multi-Stakeholder Capacity-Building workshop on Cross-Cutting Approaches and Preconditions for Disability-Inclusive Development held in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to a UN report, approximately 1.3 billion people globally experience significant disabilities, representing 16% of the world’s population.
UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, emphasized the existing gaps in national data on disability. According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018), 7% of household members aged five and above have some level of difficulty in at least one functional domain. Fall assured that the UN would continue to uphold the rights of the disability community.
He highlighted the UN’s recognition of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Fall stressed the UN’s commitment to fully realizing human rights for the 30 million Nigerians with disabilities, who are predominantly women, children, and youth. He echoed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s sentiment that “Inclusion is the cornerstone of a sustainable future. Without it, we are merely building on sand.”
The workshop also addressed the need for an enabling and inclusive environment for all. Fall mentioned that the UN building was assessed in 2023 for its accessibility to persons with disabilities, and the recommended improvements are already being implemented.
Deputy Representative of UNFPA, Koessan Kuawu, noted that 18% of the world’s population has some form of disability or will experience disability in their lifetime. In Nigeria, an estimated 35.5 million people live with disabilities, encompassing mental, intellectual, physical, or sensorial conditions.
