In a decisive move to advance disability inclusion in Nigeria’s higher education system, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has commenced a nationwide accessibility audit of tertiary institutions, with Federal University Lafia (FULafia) emerging as the first institution to undergo the exercise.
The landmark initiative, anchored on the enforcement of the Disability (Accessibility) Regulations 2023, signals a renewed push by the Commission to ensure that public institutions across the country comply with standards that guarantee equal access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Leading the audit team was the Director of the Accessibility Department, Bitrus Sule Dakup, who emphasized that the exercise is not merely procedural but a critical step toward dismantling structural barriers that have long excluded PWDs from fully participating in academic life.
According to him, the audit will comprehensively assess physical infrastructure, learning environments, and service delivery systems within universities to determine their level of compliance with accessibility standards. “This is about creating inclusive spaces where no Nigerian is left behind because of disability,” he noted.
Receiving the delegation, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of FULafia, Ibrahim Hassan Ogiri, described the university’s selection as a significant milestone. He commended the Commission for its proactive approach and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment.
Ogiri also highlighted the existing collaboration between the university and the Commission, noting that the partnership—initiated under previous leadership—has continued to yield positive outcomes for students and staff with disabilities.
In the same vein, the Head of the Centre for Disability Studies at the university, Prof. Adaka, expressed strong support for the initiative. He pledged the Centre’s readiness to work closely with the Commission to ensure that inclusion remains at the heart of the institution’s policies and practices.
“We are committed to strengthening systems that promote equal opportunities for all, regardless of ability,” he stated, while wishing the audit team a successful and impactful exercise.
On behalf of the Commission, Dakup appreciated the university management for creating what he described as a relatively enabling environment for Persons with Disabilities. However, he reiterated that the audit would provide a clearer picture of areas requiring improvement, stressing that compliance with accessibility standards is not optional but a legal obligation.
The ongoing exercise is rooted in the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which mandates all public institutions to be fully accessible to PWDs. With the five-year moratorium on accessibility compliance now expired, stakeholders say the Commission’s audit marks a critical enforcement phase.
Observers note that this development could redefine the landscape of inclusive education in Nigeria, compelling universities to rethink infrastructure design, service delivery, and policy implementation to accommodate diverse needs.
As the NCPWD moves to replicate the audit across other tertiary institutions nationwide, expectations are high that the initiative will not only expose gaps but also catalyze reforms that ensure Nigerian campuses become truly inclusive spaces for learning, growth, and opportunity.
— Reported by the Media Unit, NCPWD
