There is renewed optimism within the disability community in Ogun State following a high-level engagement with the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, who has pledged urgent steps toward the long-delayed implementation of the Ogun State Disability Law.
The strategic meeting, held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Ministry of Justice in Abeokuta, brought together key disability rights actors and government stakeholders in what advocates described as a “critical turning point” in the nearly nine-year struggle to operationalize the law, which was signed on December 27, 2017.
The engagement was convened by leading disability organizations, including the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, as part of sustained advocacy efforts to move from legislation to real-life impact for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the state.
A Unified Disability Front Demands Action
The delegation was led by Mr. Abdulwahab Matepo, Interim National President of SCIAN, alongside the Ogun State JONAPWD Chairman, Mr. Femi Adeosun. They were joined by leaders representing various disability clusters, reflecting a rare show of unity across the sector.
Prominent representatives included Mr. Banji Oyebanji (NAPWPD), Mr. Jimoh Ahmed (IDEA), Mr. Rasheed Salami (NNAD), Mrs. Bimpe Sadare (AIDDN), Mrs. Yinka Ileyemi (Women Leader), and Mr. Ayo Awobona, Chairman of SCIAN Ogun State chapter.
Civil society and professional allies also lent their voices to the engagement. These included Comrade Olayinka Folarin, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Dr. Kunle Ashimi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, and disability rights advocate Mr. Gbenga Gbesan.
Together, they emphasized that the full implementation of the Disability Law remains essential for guaranteeing legal protection and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in education, healthcare, transportation, employment, and political participation.
“A Law Without Implementation Is Justice Deferred”
Speaking during the meeting, stakeholders expressed frustration that nearly a decade after its passage, the law has yet to be fully implemented, leaving thousands of persons with disabilities without the protections it guarantees.
They stressed that the absence of implementation has continued to deepen exclusion, poverty, and systemic discrimination, particularly in public infrastructure and service delivery.
One of the key concerns raised was accessibility within government institutions themselves, which advocates said symbolizes the broader barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the state.
A Symbolic Moment: Meeting Held in an Inaccessible Space
In a moment that underscored the urgency of their demands, the meeting was reportedly held along a passage within the Ministry of Justice due to the inaccessibility of the Attorney General’s office.
Advocates described the setting as both “symbolic and revealing,” highlighting the everyday realities faced by persons with disabilities even within institutions responsible for justice and governance.
Government Responds with Commitment
In his response, the Attorney General, Oluwasina Ogungbade, acknowledged the concerns raised by the delegation and described their advocacy as legitimate, timely, and necessary.
He admitted that the circumstances surrounding the meeting reflected the very challenges the disability community continues to face and agreed that urgent corrective measures were required.
The Attorney General assured the delegation that he would immediately brief the State Governor and engage relevant stakeholders within government to chart a clear path toward implementation.
He further promised to provide an update within two weeks, a commitment that has since generated cautious optimism among disability advocates.
The Attorney General was accompanied by Mr. Ogunsanwo Olumuyiwa, Director of Commercial Services in the Ministry of Justice, and Mr. Toyese, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters.
A Turning Point or Another Delay?
For many stakeholders, the Attorney General’s assurance represents a potential turning point in the long-stalled implementation process. However, disability leaders remain cautious, stressing that Nigeria has seen repeated promises without full execution.
They reiterated that the ultimate goal is not just policy acknowledgment but full enforcement of the law to ensure dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities across Ogun State.
Hope Amid Persistent Advocacy
As the disability community awaits the promised update, there is a growing sense of cautious hope that sustained advocacy may finally yield tangible results.
Stakeholders believe that implementing the law would mark a historic shift in Ogun State’s approach to inclusion—transforming legal intent into practical change that improves access to education, employment, healthcare, transportation, and civic participation.
For now, the message from the disability community is clear: the law exists, the need is urgent, and the time for implementation is now.
