NHRC, government agencies and stakeholders to develop 2027 action plan, address implementation gaps and advance accessibility, inclusive education, employment and social protection for persons with disabilities.
ABUJA — The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disability inclusion, protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring the effective implementation of regional human rights instruments and existing disability-related laws.
The commitment was reiterated at the maiden convening of the Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group (DITWG), held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja.
The meeting brought together representatives of government institutions and stakeholders to strengthen coordination and translate Nigeria’s commitments to disability rights into practical actions that promote equality, accessibility and the full participation of persons with disabilities in national development.
The gathering focused on implementing the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, popularly known as the African Disability Protocol (ADP), alongside other disability-related laws and policies.
Lanre Oloyede, representing the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, and Rabi Anwar, representing the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, addressed participants at the convening.
FG Targets Stronger Coordination on Disability Rights
According to Ojukwu’s address, the Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group was inaugurated on September 10, 2026, to strengthen collaboration among relevant institutions and advance the implementation of the African Disability Protocol and other disability-related legislation.
Nigeria signed the protocol in February 2023 and ratified it in October of the same year.
The establishment of the working group is expected to provide a coordinated platform for government institutions and other stakeholders to identify implementation challenges, develop targeted interventions and improve accountability in disability inclusion.
The initiative seeks to move beyond policy commitments by strengthening institutional cooperation and ensuring that disability rights are translated into measurable outcomes.
2027 Action Plan to Address Implementation Gaps
A major priority of the working group is the development of a comprehensive work plan for 2027, supported by functional subcommittees responsible for specific areas of disability inclusion.
The proposed work plan is expected to outline clear priorities, measurable indicators, achievable activities and realistic timelines to guide implementation.
The subcommittees will identify existing gaps in the implementation of disability-related laws and policies, develop targeted interventions and provide technical expertise within their respective areas of responsibility.
The approach is designed to strengthen coordination, improve institutional accountability and ensure that disability inclusion efforts produce practical results.
Non-Discrimination, Accessibility and Employment Top Priorities
The working group identified several critical areas requiring sustained attention to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
These include:
- Non-discrimination: Strengthening protection against discrimination and promoting equal rights.
- Accessibility: Addressing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing facilities, services and opportunities.
- Inclusive education: Promoting equitable access to education for persons with disabilities.
- Employment opportunities: Advancing access to jobs and participation in the workforce.
- Access to justice: Improving the ability of persons with disabilities to access justice and exercise their legal rights.
- Social protection: Strengthening support systems for persons with disabilities.
- Protection of children with disabilities: Addressing their rights, welfare and inclusion.
The initiative also seeks to improve access to essential services and promote the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in national development.
NHRC Pledges Monitoring, Coordination and Reporting
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to coordinating stakeholder engagement and following up on the activities and recommendations of the working group’s subcommittees.
He said the working group would also contribute to the preparation of periodic reports for submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, where appropriate.
reporting process is expected to support the monitoring of Nigeria’s implementation of the African Disability Protocol and strengthen accountability for disability-related commitments.
The NHRC urged members of the working group to participate actively in deliberations and develop practical strategies that would improve the implementation of disability-related laws and policies.
From Legal Commitments to Meaningful Inclusion
The maiden convening marks an important step towards strengthening partnerships among government institutions and other stakeholders working to advance disability rights in Nigeria.
By establishing functional subcommittees, developing a comprehensive 2027 work plan and identifying implementation gaps, the working group is expected to provide a coordinated framework for advancing disability inclusion.
However, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend on translating its recommendations into concrete actions, measurable outcomes and sustained institutional commitment.
For persons with disabilities, the priority remains ensuring that existing legal protections lead to improved accessibility, equal opportunities, inclusive education, employment, social protection and access to justice.
The working group’s success will ultimately be measured not by the number of meetings held or policies developed, but by how effectively its actions improve the rights, dignity and participation of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
