Makurdi, Nigeria
In a landmark development that has reignited hope among persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Benue State, the Benue State House of Assembly today passed into law the Persons with Disabilities Rights Commission Bill, setting the stage for an inclusive, rights-based framework that will protect, empower, and promote the full participation of PWDs across the state.
The passage of this bill represents a bold and historic step toward domesticating the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, aligning Benue State with national and international disability rights obligations. It is the fruit of relentless advocacy and multi-stakeholder collaboration spearheaded by the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), with unwavering support from partners and allies committed to justice and equality.
A Milestone Rooted in Strategic Advocacy
The road to this legislative victory has been paved with strategic engagement, community organizing, and inclusive dialogue. Following the second reading of the bill in May 2025, IFA convened a One-Day Technical Review Meeting with key stakeholders including lawmakers, disability rights experts, civil society organizations, and leaders of the disability community in Benue State.
The review was designed not just to scrutinize the content of the bill, but to enrich it — to ensure that it addresses the unique realities and pressing concerns of PWDs in the state. The outcome was a harmonized document that reflects lived experiences and puts the voices of persons with disabilities at the center of legal reform.
“We understood from the start that this cannot just be another law on paper. It must be a transformative tool that speaks to the challenges and aspirations of PWDs,” said Grace Jerry, Executive Director of IFA. “What we witnessed today at the House of Assembly is the culmination of years of advocacy, but also the beginning of something even greater — the realization of dignity, inclusion, and protection for all.”
What the Bill Means for Benue’s Disability Community
Once signed into law by the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, the Persons with Disabilities Rights Commission Bill will:
- Establish a Benue State Disability Rights Commission, tasked with promoting, protecting, and enforcing the rights of persons with disabilities.
- Ensure accessibility in public spaces, transportation, healthcare, education, and employment.
- Criminalize discrimination, abuse, and neglect of persons with disabilities.
- Promote inclusive governance, giving PWDs a voice in policy-making and implementation.
- Mandate inclusive education and equal access to quality healthcare and social services.
- Set mechanisms in motion for the monitoring and enforcement of disability rights in both the public and private sectors.
This bill, once assented to, will also place a legal obligation on both government institutions and private entities to recognize and accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities, thereby reshaping Benue’s social and institutional landscape to be more inclusive and equitable.
National and Global Significance
The passage of this bill in Benue State adds to the growing momentum of states in Nigeria that are localizing the national Disability Act, a critical step toward achieving the goals of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
It also sends a powerful signal to other states that inclusion is not just a moral obligation — it is a constitutional and developmental imperative. By creating an enabling legal environment, Benue State has raised the bar for disability inclusion, and its action may very well inspire a domino effect across the country.
Gratitude to Partners and Supporters
This legislative achievement would not have been possible without the critical financial and technical support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), whose partnership has consistently fueled IFA’s grassroots mobilization, policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts.
IFA also acknowledges the invaluable roles played by allies in the disability rights ecosystem — from civil society organizations and development partners to community champions, sign language interpreters, and journalists who kept disability issues in the public discourse.
The Work Ahead
While the passage of the bill is a major win, IFA emphasized that the journey to full implementation is just beginning. “Laws are only as powerful as their enforcement,” said Jerry. “Our next task is to advocate for prompt gubernatorial assent, widespread public awareness, budgetary allocation, and the immediate operationalization of the Disability Commission.”
In the coming months, IFA plans to embark on a state-wide sensitization campaign to educate both duty-bearers and right-holders on the provisions of the new law, while also building capacity for rights-based service delivery in health, education, and justice sectors.
A New Era of Belonging
For persons with disabilities in Benue State, this bill is not merely ink on paper — it is a promise of protection, a validation of their rights, and a step toward a future where disability is no longer a barrier to dignity, opportunity, and full societal participation.
Today, Benue has written a new chapter in its history — one that says clearly and boldly: inclusion is not charity; it is justice. And justice can no longer wait.
Reporting by The Qualitative Magazine (TQM)
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