By Agbo Christian Obiora
Abuja – In a major step toward making public infrastructure accessible to all, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has unveiled a set of key measures aimed at ensuring full compliance with accessibility standards in government buildings.
Hon. Abba Isa, who was represented by his Director of Media and Communications, Lanre Oloyede, presented these recommendations at a Stakeholders’ Meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. The meeting focused on auditing government buildings for accessibility compliance in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The high-level session, convened at the directive of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, was chaired by Arc. Joy O. Baderin, Director of the Infrastructure Management Department, who represented the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Office of the SSA on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, officials from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and a delegation from the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), led by Honorary General Secretary, Arc. Chike Chamberlain Ibeanu.
Government’s Commitment to Accessibility Compliance
Hon. Abba Isa reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to enforcing the National Disability Act, emphasizing that accessibility should no longer be a matter of goodwill but a mandatory legal requirement.
He recalled that in November 2023, President Tinubu approved the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial/Agencies Committee on the Implementation of the National Disability Act, which is tasked with ensuring full enforcement across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
One of the key responsibilities of this committee is to conduct nationwide accessibility audits to assess the current state of public buildings and recommend modifications such as:
Ramps and railings Braille signage Elevators Accessible restrooms Audio guidance systems
To strengthen enforcement, Hon. Abba Isa also revealed plans to establish a Presidential Task Force on Accessibility, in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). This task force will:
- Monitor MDAs to ensure necessary modifications are carried out.
- Enforce penalties on institutions that fail to comply.
- Provide compliance guidance and technical assistance where needed.
“It is no longer enough to encourage compliance; we must now demand and enforce it. The lives and dignity of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities depend on our collective action,” he stated.
Barriers to Full Implementation of the Disability Act
Despite the legal provisions of the 2018 Disability Act, Hon. Abba Isa identified several challenges obstructing its full implementation:
Lack of Awareness and Political Will – Many MDAs are unaware of their obligations, and accessibility remains a low priority.
Limited Funding – Accessibility modifications require financial commitments that are often ignored in government budgets.
Weak Enforcement Mechanisms – Penalties for non-compliance remain inadequate, leading to continued neglect.
Lack of Representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) – The exclusion of PWDs from decision-making processes results in ineffective policies.
Five Key Recommendations for Accessibility Compliance
To tackle these challenges, Hon. Abba Isa outlined five strategic recommendations:
1. Stronger Enforcement and Accountability Measures
Government agencies must have clear deadlines for accessibility compliance. The Presidential Task Force on Accessibility must enforce penalties while also supporting compliance efforts.
2. Budgetary Allocation for Accessibility
MDAs should dedicate a fixed percentage of their annual budgets to accessibility projects. A special intervention fund should be created for retrofitting public buildings.
3. Mainstreaming Disability-Inclusive Policies
Every government institution should establish a Disability Inclusion Desk. Training on disability etiquette and inclusive service delivery should be made mandatory for civil servants.
4. Expanding Public-Private Collaboration
Accessibility should be a shared responsibility, involving government, private organizations, and development partners. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) should be leveraged to fund and implement accessibility projects.
5. Strengthening the Role of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
OPDs should be integrated into government monitoring teams to conduct independent assessments. Regular town hall meetings should be held where PWDs can report non-compliance issues.
Architects Call for Immediate Accessibility Audit
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), through its Honorary General Secretary, Arc. Chike Chamberlain Ibeanu, expressed strong support for an immediate accessibility audit of government buildings.
“Good architecture is not truly good unless it is inclusive. Public buildings should not foster segregation or discrimination. Unfortunately, since the expiration of the moratorium period, compliance with accessibility standards has been slow. That is why we have engaged the Office of the Head of Service to carry out an accessibility audit of MDAs to set an example for others.”
Arc. Ibeanu noted that the NIA has chapters in all 36 states and the FCT and is fully prepared to conduct a nationwide accessibility audit. The institute also plans to issue certificates of compliance to MDAs that meet the required accessibility standards.
FG Endorses Nationwide Accessibility Audit
In her remarks, Arc. Joy O. Baderin assured the full support of the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the audit exercise. She recommended a phased approach, starting with federal secretariats across the six geo-political zones.
“Once the assessment is completed, the Office of the Head of Service will issue a circular directing all MDAs to comply with the findings of the audit,” she stated.
With these commitments, stakeholders expressed optimism that the enforcement of accessibility standards in public buildings would soon become a reality, ensuring that government institutions lead by example in upholding the rights of PWDs.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Accessibility in Nigeria?
The Stakeholders’ Meeting signals a critical step toward ensuring public buildings in Nigeria are accessible to all. If fully implemented, Hon. Abba Isa’s five key recommendations could revolutionize the landscape of public infrastructure, making inclusivity the norm rather than an afterthought.
As Nigeria moves forward in enforcing accessibility compliance, the question remains: Will MDAs rise to the challenge, or will accessibility for millions of PWDs remain a mere policy on paper?
Only time and sustained action will tell.
