Abuja, Nigeria – July 2025
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hon. James David Lalu Ayuba Gufwan, has paid glowing tribute to Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who recently passed away. In a moving statement released from the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Gufwan described the late President as “a true champion of inclusion, a defender of the vulnerable, and a leader who transformed promises into lasting policies for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.”
Hon. Gufwan joined other global leaders, citizens, and disability advocates in mourning the demise of the former Nigerian leader, stating that President Buhari’s contributions to disability rights in Nigeria remain unmatched in the country’s history.
“President Buhari did not just wear the title of Commander-in-Chief; he embodied leadership by giving voice, visibility, and legislative backing to a community that had long lived in the shadows of marginalization,” Gufwan remarked.
A Leader Who Fought for Unity and Inclusion
Reflecting on the life and legacy of the late statesman, Gufwan noted that Buhari’s leadership journey spanned both military and civilian eras, each marked by a firm commitment to national unity and social justice.
“He fought to preserve the unity of Nigeria as a soldier, and decades later, as a democratically elected President, he fought just as bravely for the dignity, recognition, and inclusion of over 35 million Nigerians living with disabilities,” Gufwan said.
Signing the Disability Act: A Defining Legacy
Among Buhari’s numerous achievements, Gufwan highlighted one moment in history that changed the trajectory for the disability community in Nigeria — the signing of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in *January 2019.
“This was not just a legal act — it was a moral one,” Gufwan emphasized. “It declared that no Nigerian should be left behind. The law became the foundation for inclusion, equal access, and protection of rights for persons with disabilities across the country.”
The Executive Secretary stressed that for over a decade, disability advocates had called for the passage of the bill. While it had passed through various legislative hurdles, it was Buhari’s listening leadership that finally made it law.
Birth of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities
The passage of the disability law paved the way for the creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, an institution now at the forefront of implementing disability-inclusive policies across Nigeria.
“Without President Buhari’s signature, there would be no NCPWD today,” Gufwan stated. “He institutionalized inclusion. He moved beyond rhetoric and gave us the legal tools to build an inclusive Nigeria.”
Appointments That Gave Voice to the Voiceless
President Buhari, according to Gufwan, did more than legislate inclusion — he practiced it. Under his administration, persons with disabilities were appointed into high-level offices, including Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) to the President, ensuring that the voices of PWDs were not only heard but influenced national policy.
“He didn’t just listen; he empowered. He appointed us, he supported us, and he believed in our potential,” said Gufwan.
A Legacy Etched in the Hearts of Millions
Hon. Gufwan described the former President’s legacy as one that transcends politics.
“President Buhari will be remembered not just as a former head of state, but as a leader whose heart beat for the marginalized. His efforts at national unity were not just in speeches but were evident in actions—actions that gave the most vulnerable a place in our society.”
He concluded by saying that the PWD community in Nigeria and beyond would forever remember Muhammadu Buhari as a leader who dared to act, while many before him only promised.
“He stood with the forgotten. He legislated dignity. He turned inclusion into a national policy,” Gufwan declared.
As the nation and international community continue to mourn the loss of a historic figure, the disability community in Nigeria celebrates the life of a visionary who redefined what it meant to lead with compassion, courage, and conviction.
