Abuja, Nigeria — September 2, 2025
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has announced a strategic partnership with the Africa Inclusive Economy Summit for Persons with Disabilities, in a bold move to advance disability-inclusive economic growth and development in Nigeria and across the African continent.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, hosted a delegation from the Summit led by Dr. Bunmi Kole Dawodu, its Project Coordinator.
The Africa Inclusive Economy Summit is an international initiative championed by His Grace Alexander, a Nigerian-born British innovator, with a mission to connect entrepreneurs, innovators, and governments across Africa and beyond, creating sustainable pathways for persons with disabilities to thrive in today’s economy.
Nigeria’s Pivotal Role in Inclusive Development
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to breaking down systemic barriers that have excluded over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities from meaningful participation in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
“The world is now a global village. Whether this Summit holds in London, Nigeria, or elsewhere, what matters most is that persons with disabilities are empowered and fully integrated into national and continental development,” he said.
Gufwan noted that Nigeria, with the largest disability population in Africa, must not only participate but lead the conversation on inclusive development. He stressed that the Commission would ensure Nigerians with disabilities reap maximum benefits from the Summit, which is scheduled to take place in London in 2026.
The Stark Reality of Exclusion
In what he described as a “wake-up call,” the NCPWD boss highlighted the alarming statistics showing that less than 3% of Nigerians with disabilities are currently in gainful employment.
“This staggering figure underscores the urgency of initiatives like the Africa Inclusive Economy Summit. Political rights are important, but without economic empowerment, they mean very little. Economic inclusion is key to rewriting the story of disability in Nigeria,” he said.
Gufwan emphasized that opportunities such as the Summit will provide Nigerian innovators with disabilities a platform to showcase their skills, resilience, and creativity to a global audience, opening doors to partnerships, investments, and sustainable growth.
Summit as a Game-Changer for Africa
On his part, Dr. Bunmi Kole Dawodu, Project Coordinator of the Summit, commended the Commission for its readiness to collaborate. He described the initiative as a self-sponsored project, driven by passionate advocates from across Africa and the UK, determined to create lasting change.
“Nigeria remains a leading light in disability inclusion on the African continent. The Africa Inclusive Economy Summit will not only connect innovators and creators to life-changing opportunities, but it will also demonstrate to the world that disability is not a limitation to innovation or leadership,” Dawodu said.
He added that the 2026 London Summit will spotlight Nigerian innovators, creators, and leaders, showcasing their work and potential on the global stage.
Pathways for Deeper Collaboration
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to develop concrete frameworks for collaboration. These will include:
- Nomination of Nigerian innovators with disabilities to participate in the 2026 Summit in London.
- Exploring the possibility of hosting future Summits in Nigeria or other African countries, positioning the continent at the heart of inclusive development discourse.
- Joint advocacy for policies and programs that expand economic opportunities for persons with disabilities in line with Nigeria’s national development goals.
The NCPWD reiterated its readiness to partner with all stakeholders committed to advancing the rights, empowerment, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, while stressing that disability-inclusive development is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity for Nigeria and Africa.
A Beacon of Hope
The partnership between the NCPWD and the Africa Inclusive Economy Summit marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream economy. For millions of Nigerians with disabilities, it offers a beacon of hope — a promise that their voices, skills, and aspirations will no longer be relegated to the margins, but placed at the center of Africa’s economic transformation.
As Hon. Gufwan aptly put it:
“This is about rewriting the story of disability — from exclusion to empowerment, from marginalization to leadership, and from poverty to prosperity.”
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