…As ROLAC Unveils Major 2026 Accessibility Initiatives
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting the rights, inclusion, and accessibility of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria following a strategic engagement with the International IDEA Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by a ROLAC delegation to the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja, where both organizations pledged to deepen collaboration towards building a more inclusive society that guarantees equal opportunities and access for persons with disabilities.
Welcoming the delegation, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described ROLAC as one of the Commission’s most reliable development partners, acknowledging its consistent support in advancing disability rights, access to justice, and social inclusion initiatives across Nigeria.
Hon. Gufwan noted that the relationship between NCPWD and ROLAC has yielded significant gains over the years and expressed optimism that strengthened cooperation would accelerate the realization of disability-inclusive development in the country.
He reiterated that the Commission was established by law to promote, protect, and enforce the rights of persons with disabilities as guaranteed under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, stressing that effective implementation of the law remains critical to ending discrimination and exclusion.
According to him, Nigeria, as Africa’s largest nation and economy, has a responsibility to set the pace in disability inclusion and demonstrate leadership in protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.
“The Commission was established to create an inclusive society through advocacy, policy development, mainstreaming disability issues into governance structures, and enforcing compliance with disability laws. We must ensure that persons with disabilities no longer face exclusion in any sphere of national life,” he stated.
The Executive Secretary emphasized that achieving these objectives requires stronger political commitment, increased funding, and sustained support from development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
He further noted that while significant progress has been made in raising awareness about disability rights, much work remains to be done in ensuring that public institutions, infrastructure, and services become fully accessible to all Nigerians regardless of their physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial conditions.
In her remarks, the ROLAC Project Manager, Mrs. Maureen Lance-Onyeiwu, commended Hon. Gufwan for his visionary leadership and dedication to promoting the welfare and rights of persons with disabilities.
She reaffirmed ROLAC’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen disability inclusion and accessibility in governance, justice systems, and public service delivery.
Mrs. Lance-Onyeiwu disclosed that the organization has lined up several groundbreaking interventions for 2026 aimed at promoting accessibility and strengthening compliance with disability rights standards nationwide.
Among the key initiatives announced are a National Accessibility Baseline Assessment to be conducted in three states, the development of National Accessibility Checklists, capacity-building programmes for Accessibility Desk Officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as State Disability Commissions, and the creation of an Accessibility Compliance Scorecard that will be used to assess and monitor accessibility performance annually.
According to her, these initiatives are expected to provide critical data, establish measurable standards, and strengthen accountability mechanisms for ensuring that public and private institutions comply with accessibility requirements.
Observers believe that the proposed accessibility scorecard, when implemented, could become a game-changing tool for measuring compliance with disability laws and driving improvements in physical, digital, and communication accessibility across Nigeria.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both organizations to explore areas of mutual interest and discuss practical strategies for improving the lives of millions of Nigerians living with disabilities.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between NCPWD and ROLAC would contribute significantly to dismantling barriers that continue to hinder the full participation of persons with disabilities in education, employment, governance, healthcare, and other aspects of national development.
The engagement concluded with a technical session involving management staff of the Commission and representatives of ROLAC, during which both sides examined implementation frameworks and future partnership opportunities.
The renewed partnership signals a major step forward in the quest to build a Nigeria where accessibility, equality, and inclusion are not merely aspirations but realities enjoyed by all citizens, regardless of disability status.
