In a significant stride toward advancing inclusive governance and sustainable development in Nigeria’s most crisis-affected region, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to champion the rehabilitation, empowerment, and welfare of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the North-East.
The high-level strategic meeting, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State, was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, who is driving the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to create and expand avenues for inclusion, empowerment, and social equity for PWDs across Nigeria.
The engagement brought together the top leadership of the NEDC, including its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Dr. Garba Abubakar Iliya, the General Manager of Administration, Alhaji Kadai Usman, and the Yobe State Coordinator, Professor Ali Ibrahim Abbas.
At the heart of the discussion was the shared vision to institutionalize inclusive recovery and resilience programs for persons with disabilities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and recurrent flooding that have plagued the region for over a decade. The meeting culminated in the establishment of a strong institutional partnership between both offices — a partnership that promises to deliver life-changing interventions to PWDs whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by insecurity and displacement.
Inclusive Recovery Through Strategic Action
Speaking during the meeting, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to collaborate with the Presidential Office in addressing the socio-economic challenges confronting PWDs in the North-East. He emphasized that the partnership will prioritize skills acquisition, digital literacy, ICT training, and economic empowerment programmes tailored to equip PWDs with employable skills and restore their dignity and independence.
He noted that the NEDC, since inception, has remained committed to rebuilding lives — not just infrastructure — across the region. The collaboration with the Office of the SSA to the President, he said, represents a major leap forward in ensuring that no one is left behind in the rebuilding process.
Through this partnership, both offices will jointly roll out targeted interventions such as the provision of assistive devices, inclusive ICT training centres, and vocational empowerment programmes across the six North-Eastern states. These initiatives are designed to promote autonomy, productivity, and equal opportunity for persons with special needs, thereby strengthening the social and economic fabric of the region.
Addressing the Urgent Needs of a Marginalized Population
The North-East remains Nigeria’s most affected region in terms of displacement and disability prevalence — largely due to the devastating impact of insurgency, humanitarian crises, and recurring natural disasters. Thousands of persons with disabilities continue to live in camps or impoverished communities with limited access to health, education, and livelihood opportunities.
This grim reality underscores the importance of the new partnership, which seeks to embed disability inclusion in all NEDC’s humanitarian and development programmes. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development, equal opportunity, and social justice for all Nigerians.
The Presidential Aide noted that this collaboration marks a critical turning point for disability inclusion in the region’s recovery efforts.
“These crises have had a compounding effect, leaving many individuals with disabilities displaced, impoverished, and in dire need of structured rehabilitation and sustainable livelihoods. Therefore, this strategic partnership marks a decisive step towards ensuring that no person with a disability is left behind in the rebuilding and recovery process of the North-East,” he stated.
Commending Visionary Leadership
He lauded Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali for his visionary and inclusive leadership of the North East Development Commission, describing him as a patriotic leader committed to rebuilding both infrastructure and human capital in the region.
“His reappointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a testament to his competence, compassion, and the tangible impact of his efforts in improving the lives of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities,” he remarked.
He further commended the synergy, professionalism, and dedication of the Commission’s management team, noting that their collaborative spirit reflects a shared commitment to national development and social inclusion.
Under Alhaji Alkali’s stewardship, the NEDC has become a shining model of purposeful leadership and institutional dedication — implementing programmes that rebuild not only communities but also restore dignity and hope to people devastated by years of conflict.
Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda
The Senior Special Assistant to the President also extended heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for entrusting him with the mandate to drive inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities nationwide.
“This appointment has afforded me the platform to advocate more effectively for the inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment of PWDs across all sectors, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration,” he noted.
He reiterated his office’s determination to strengthen partnerships with key institutions such as the NEDC to ensure that every Nigerian — regardless of ability — can live with dignity, access opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to national growth.
A New Dawn for Disability Inclusion in the North-East
The partnership between the Office of the SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities and the NEDC represents a beacon of hope for thousands of PWDs who have endured years of hardship in the North-East. It also sets a new standard for inter-agency collaboration in driving disability-inclusive development within the framework of national recovery and reconstruction.
As Nigeria continues its journey toward rebuilding the North-East, this initiative serves as a powerful reminder that true development must be inclusive — empowering every citizen to rise, thrive, and participate in shaping a better and more equitable nation.
With renewed synergy, compassion, and strategic leadership, both offices are working together to translate President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision into tangible, inclusive, and sustainable progress for all — ensuring that the rebuilding of the North-East truly rebuilds lives.
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