By Chris Agbo | The Qualitative Magazine (TQM)
ABUJA — In what could become a major legal battle over disability rights and inclusion in Nigeria, groups representing persons with disabilities (PWDs) have dragged the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding N66 trillion in damages over what they describe as 66 years of systemic abuse, exclusion, economic disenfranchisement and institutional neglect.
The suit, filed on August 12, 2026, is numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1824/2026 and was instituted as a pro se class action, an emergency writ of mandamus and a fundamental human rights enforcement action.
The applicants said they are acting on behalf of more than 40 million Nigerians living with disabilities, seeking sweeping judicial interventions that go beyond financial compensation to include institutional restructuring, accountability, asset recovery and stronger enforcement of disability rights.
N66 Trillion for 66 Years
At the heart of the lawsuit is a demand for N66 trillion in general, structural and punitive damages against the respondents jointly and severally.
The applicants calculated the figure at N1 trillion for every year of what they described as state neglect, economic disenfranchisement and structural exclusion dating back to Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960.
They argue that decades of inadequate implementation of disability rights obligations have resulted in widespread exclusion of Nigerians with disabilities from employment, education, healthcare, economic opportunities, infrastructure and political participation.
Who Filed the Suit?
The applicants include the Office of the Life-Chairperson, Board of Trustees and Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD National), with Omotunde Ellen Thompson named as lead filer.
Others are:
- Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI-Nigeria/ERPWDI-USA), represented by Eric Ndubueze Ufom;
- Foundation for the Support of Nigerian Veterans, represented by Lonsdale Oladeji Adeoye; and
- Centre for Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.
The applicants are asking the court to use its powers to compel government to undertake far-reaching reforms in the administration and implementation of disability affairs.
Demand for Federal Ministry of Disability Affairs
Among their major demands is an emergency writ of mandamus compelling the Federal Government to restructure its institutional framework for disability affairs.
The applicants want what they describe as parallel and non-inclusive institutions reviewed, repealed or absorbed, with the establishment of a fully elevated Federal Ministry of Disability and Rehabilitation Affairs.
They argue that disability matters require stronger institutional authority and coordination at the federal level rather than fragmented responsibility across different agencies and ministries.
Almajiri Children, IDPs and Conflict-Exposed Youths
In another significant aspect of the suit, the applicants are asking the court to recognise Almajiri children, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-exposed youths as persons with disabilities based on what they describe as scientifically documented long-term psychiatric conditions arising from state neglect.
The groups are also asking the court to compel Nigeria to fully comply with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the African Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
They further seek amendments to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, to align the legislation with Nigeria’s international and regional obligations.
Groups Demand Forensic Audit of Disability-Related Funds
The lawsuit also takes aim at the management of funds allegedly intended to support persons with disabilities.
The applicants are asking the court to order the freezing of what they describe as compromised bank accounts and direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Auditor-General for the Federation to conduct forensic audits.
They want the agencies to investigate and recover public funds, development allocations and international donor resources allegedly diverted from funds designated for persons with disabilities.
The applicants specifically referenced an alleged N24 billion diversion involving MSMEDF/AGSMEIS funds.
States, FCT and LGAs Also Targeted
The demands extend beyond the Federal Government.
The applicants are seeking an order compelling all 36 state governments, the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the 774 local government councils to establish fully funded disability implementation commissions or offices.
Such structures, they argue, would strengthen implementation of disability laws and policies at sub-national and grassroots levels.
JONAPWD Leadership Dispute Enters the Courtroom
The suit also seeks judicial intervention in the affairs of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD).
The applicants are asking the court to restrain what they describe as unauthorised conventions and elections involving JONAPWD.
They referenced a judgment of the High Court of Cross River State in Suit No. HC/336/2022, which they said recognised the 2008 JONAPWD Constitution as the sole legal governing document registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.
The applicants want the court to enforce the judgment and issue an injunction against what they describe as factional operations and unauthorised elections.
26 Federal Institutions Named as Respondents
The lawsuit has cast a wide net, naming 26 entities and public institutions as respondents.
They include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Assembly, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Auditor-General for the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Also named are the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties and Equal Opportunity and several federal ministries responsible for humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, women affairs, budget and economic development, regional development, finance, health and social development, foreign affairs and education.
Other respondents include the National Directorate of Employment, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, among others.
A Legal Battle Beyond Compensation
The applicants insist that the case is not simply about money.
They described the lawsuit as a landmark human rights action designed to secure structural reforms, strengthen accountability and enforce the rights of Nigerians with disabilities.
At stake, according to the applicants, is not only compensation for alleged decades of exclusion but a fundamental restructuring of the way disability is treated within Nigeria’s governance system.
If the action proceeds as sought, the case could place disability inclusion, public accountability, institutional reform and the enforcement of Nigeria’s disability rights obligations at the centre of a major national judicial debate.
For millions of Nigerians with disabilities, the outcome could have implications far beyond the courtroom.
The central question now is whether the Nigerian justice system will provide a pathway for the structural changes the applicants are demanding — and how the Federal Government and other respondents will respond to the unprecedented N66 trillion claim.
