In a move set to deepen disability inclusion and strengthen institutional capacity, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission (NSDRC) have sealed a renewed partnership aimed at advancing the rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the leadership of NSDRC, led by its Chairman, Honourable Saleh Barde Keana, paid a courtesy visit to CCD’s headquarters in Abuja. The engagement provided both institutions an opportunity to explore strategic collaboration and chart pathways for improving service delivery to the disability community in Nasarawa State.
Strengthening Ties for Greater Impact
Welcoming the delegation, Mrs. Peace Ezekiel, who led the CCD team, commended the Commission for its proactive steps toward partnership and highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between civil society organizations and state institutions.
During the discussions, Abubakar A. Khalifa, Technical Assistant to the NSDRC Chairman, stressed that the Commission’s primary focus is to connect with credible development partners like CCD to build stronger institutional frameworks. According to him, the Commission is determined to eliminate violence, discrimination, and systemic neglect faced by persons with disabilities in Nasarawa State.
“CCD has a proven track record in driving impactful disability advocacy in Nigeria. Partnering with them will help us strengthen our staff capacity, improve digital literacy, and align our systems with international best practices,” Khalifa noted.
CCD’s Ongoing Interventions
In her response, Mrs. Ezekiel expressed appreciation for the Commission’s recognition of CCD’s role in the disability rights movement. She underscored the organization’s readiness to provide technical support, training, and knowledge-sharing to enhance the capacity of NSDRC staff.
She highlighted CCD’s ongoing work around the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which seeks to address the long-standing exclusion of persons with disabilities from benefits within the oil and gas sector. According to her, CCD has already carried out training programs across the nine Niger Delta states and developed state-specific demand charts. These will be harmonized and presented at a forthcoming national dialogue designed to push for inclusive implementation of the Act.
Shared Vision for Disability Inclusion
Both parties used the meeting to reaffirm their joint commitment to projects that promote inclusion, protection, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. They agreed to prioritize capacity building, digital literacy training, and technical support mechanisms that will enable NSDRC staff to effectively deliver on their mandate.
The partnership also signals a broader vision—bridging gaps between grassroots disability rights commissions and leading advocacy organizations to ensure that PWDs are not left behind in governance, development, and social protection.
A Milestone for Nasarawa State
Observers say the collaboration could significantly transform the disability inclusion landscape in Nasarawa State, where challenges of accessibility, discrimination, and limited institutional support remain pressing. By leveraging CCD’s national presence and technical expertise, NSDRC is expected to fast-track reforms and scale up interventions that directly impact the lives of persons with disabilities across the state.
As the meeting drew to a close, both institutions pledged to sustain the partnership, describing it as a “strategic alliance for empowerment, equality, and justice.”
With this strengthened collaboration, Nasarawa joins the growing list of states where coordinated advocacy and institutional partnerships are laying the foundation for a more inclusive Nigeria—one where persons with disabilities can fully participate and thrive.
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