In a renewed effort to dismantle barriers confronting persons with disabilities in the justice system, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), with support from the Fund for Global Human Rights and the Action Group on Free Civic Space, has taken its advocacy directly to the heart of legal governance in Oyo State.
On 24 February 2026, the CCD delegation paid a high-level advocacy visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Justice in Ibadan, pressing for urgent reforms to protect and expand civic space rights for persons with disabilities.
The meeting, held with the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Oluwatoyin Are, Esq., brought together senior ministry officials, Cluster Heads of Persons with Disabilities, representatives of the disability community, and members of the media. It was not just a routine courtesy call—it was a decisive moment in the growing campaign to secure equal access to justice for one of the most marginalized communities in the state.
Setting the Tone: Inclusion Beyond Rhetoric
Introducing the CCD delegation, Project Officer Christiana Njoku provided an overview of the organisation’s mandate and longstanding commitment to promoting disability inclusion and safeguarding rights. She highlighted the ongoing project on Expanding Civic Space Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Oyo State, describing it as a timely intervention in strengthening democratic participation.
Njoku emphasized that civic space rights—freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and participation in governance—are fundamental pillars of democracy. Yet, she noted, for many persons with disabilities, these rights remain largely theoretical.
Building on this, Senior Programme Officer Florence Attah presented the advocacy brief and unveiled key findings from the project’s field engagements. Her presentation laid bare the daily realities faced by civic actors with disabilities—harassment, intimidation, communication barriers, systemic neglect, and limited access to justice when their rights are violated.
“Civic space rights must be meaningful for everyone, not selective,” she stressed, underscoring that barriers within the justice system continue to silence many persons with disabilities in Oyo State.
Concrete Demands for Justice Reform
Moving beyond rhetoric, CCD tabled actionable recommendations designed to transform access to justice for persons with disabilities in the state.
Among the key demands was the creation of a dedicated legal support system within the Ministry of Justice to handle civic rights cases involving persons with disabilities. CCD also called for free and expedited legal representation for civic actors with disabilities who experience harassment, unlawful detention, or attacks.
Recognizing the urgency of collaboration, the organisation proposed stronger synergy with the Office of the Public Defender to prioritize disability-related cases. Additionally, it urged the Ministry to invest in systematic training for justice officials on disability inclusion and civic rights.
Accessibility featured prominently in the recommendations. CCD advocated for sign language interpreters in courtrooms, deployment of assistive technologies, and improvement in the physical accessibility of justice institutions—ensuring that court processes are inclusive and not intimidating obstacles.
Government’s Response: Commitment to Inclusion
In her response, the Permanent Secretary commended CCD for its proactive engagement and unwavering commitment to disability rights. She reaffirmed the Oyo State Government’s dedication to inclusion and pledged that the Ministry would carefully review the recommendations presented.
Her assurance was welcomed as a positive signal that the state is willing to bridge the gap between policy intentions and practical realities.
Further strengthening hopes for reform, the Senior State Counsel and Legal Officer of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities disclosed that a related disability-focused request made during a previous engagement with the State Assembly has advanced significantly. According to him, the proposal has reached the Governor’s desk and is currently awaiting signing and adoption—an indication that momentum for legislative and policy progress is building.
Voices from the Disability Community
Representatives from the disability community used the platform to amplify lived experiences and underscore the urgency of reform.
The Oyo State Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) applauded the collaborative advocacy effort and called for deeper inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance and decision-making processes.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Deaf Cluster highlighted persistent communication challenges within the justice system and appealed strongly for the consistent engagement of sign language interpreters during legal proceedings.
Their interventions transformed the meeting from a policy dialogue into a human-centered conversation—one grounded in real stories, real struggles, and real aspirations.
Sustaining the Momentum
Closing the engagement, CCD’s Finance and Admin Manager, Mrs. Florence Austin, expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s openness and willingness to engage constructively. She reiterated the organisation’s commitment to sustained partnership, strategic follow-up, and accountability to ensure that the promises made translate into measurable outcomes.
The advocacy visit marks a significant step in advancing civic space rights for persons with disabilities in Oyo State. It reflects a growing recognition that democracy cannot thrive where segments of the population face systemic barriers to participation and justice.
As momentum builds around disability-inclusive reforms, stakeholders say the true measure of progress will lie not only in policy pronouncements, but in accessible courtrooms, responsive institutions, and empowered civic actors who can exercise their rights without fear.
For persons with disabilities in Oyo State, the conversation on justice is no longer on the margins—it is now firmly at the center of governance.
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