Abuja, Nigeria – March 9, 2024
In a groundbreaking revelation, Dr. James David Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has declared that Accessibility Studies is a potential multi-billion Naira industry that could emerge as a significant revenue generator for Nigeria in the future. This insight was shared during a technical training session organized by the NCPWD in Abuja, emphasizing the untapped goldmine of accessibility.
“The mandate of the Commission is extensive, and that’s why we need to train many of our engineers on the dynamics of accessibility,” Dr. Lalu stated, highlighting the importance of cultivating expertise in this burgeoning field.
In a press release signed by Mbanefo JohnMichaels Ikechukwu, head Press and PR Unit, NCPWD, the Executive Secretary underscored that the training session is designed for practical individuals who can apply acquired knowledge to create inclusive designs and applications, thereby reshaping the narrative around social infrastructure for the overall development of the nation.
Dr. Lalu envisions a new cadre of Accessibility Engineers strategically positioned across various zones in the country, contributing to the enhancement of architectural standards in public buildings from their foundations to completion. He revealed that the Commission has inked Memoranda of Understanding with several higher institutions, with the University College, Ibadan, poised to offer a degree program in Accessibility Engineering pending final approval.
Addressing participants, Dr. Lalu urged them to seize the opportunity to harness their skills, fostering innovative and accessible infrastructure nationwide. Additionally, he called upon the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support the capacity-building process with ample funding, foreseeing the potential multiplier effects on the Nigerian economy.
During a lecture on the Overview of the National Accessibility Regulations and Accessibility Audit procedures, Engr. Ovens Ehimatie, one of the facilitators, highlighted specific paradigms and measurements crucial for constructing inclusive infrastructure. He stressed the importance of professional bodies, such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), consulting Accessibility Engineers for proper practice in the profession.
Engr. Ehimatie commended the NCPWD for spearheading the training initiative and developing accessibility curricula in Nigerian higher institutions. “I congratulate the Pioneer Executive Secretary for championing this noble cause to change the narrative in the construction industry,” he added.
In his welcome remarks, Engr. Bitrus Sule Dakup, the Director of the Accessibility Department at NCPWD, outlined structural adjustments undertaken by the Commission in public buildings within and outside the FCT to meet Minimum Accessibility Standards. He reaffirmed the Accessibility Department’s commitment to assisting organizations and MDAs in making informed decisions regarding the restructuring of public facilities whenever possible.
As Nigeria paves the way for a new era in Accessibility Studies, the potential economic impact and societal transformation loom large on the horizon.
