TQM report,
Disability-disaggregated data or statistics can play a pivotal role across all aspects of development at national and subnational levels. Design, planning, implementation, monitoring, impact assessment and evaluation of legal and policy frameworks as well as the allocation and prudent use of funds and other resources for the delivery of programs, projects and interventions must be guided by accurate data which considers all categories or sections of the population including those with disabilities.
DRAC has begun to collaborate with government institutions which are major stakeholders in data collection and management in Nigeria. As a follow-up to DRAC’s engagement with National Population Commission to improve collection of disability data DRAC team paid an advocacy visit to the Commission because of their role they play in ensuring that disability disaggregated data is captured during the upcoming population census.
Executive Director of DRAC represented by Ms. Nike Akinbola appreciated the Commission for the warm reception and the efforts towards ensuring a successful visit making particular reference to the construction of the ramp / modification of the facility to allow for easy access is a welcome development even though it needs more modification. She stated that the National Population Commission play an important role in ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the development agenda which is largely dependent on availability of data to inform programming.
DRAC program Manager, Dr. Oby Edet Ukeme reiterated that DRAC is committed to sectorial advocacy, supporting local governance processes, building capacity, and promoting engagements around the rights of persons with disabilities as such. She stated that DRAC seeks to collaborate with the National Population Commission to facilitate holistic approaches that aim to address the dearth of disability data and exclusion faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria and willing to assist the Commission by offering constant training and capacity building for staff members and management on disability inclusion as well as the use of the Washington Group Question Sets.
While responding to DRAC spokesman, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra said efforts towards collection of data on disability status using the Washington Group of short set of questions to disaggregate persons with disability data in Nigeria are on top gear. He noted that though the upcoming censor is being planned to be digitally conducted, the commission will make sure the WGQ Set are incorporated into the censor questionnaires.
He equally promised that persons with disabilities will be involved in all NPC programming particularly as it relates to population census and that persons with disabilities will be actively engaged as enumerators during censor exercises.
Speaking on the 5% of employment for persons with disabilities in all government institutions as provided in the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition), 2018 Act, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra expressed NPC’s commitment and said they will work towards fulfilling the obligation.
The commissioners present also expressed their appreciation to DRAC for its commitments towards ensuring the inclusion of person with disabilities in development agenda and promised their supports towards disability disaggregated data collection at the state level.
In conclusion the Chairman emphasised that he looked forward to having a sustainable collaboration and partnership with DRAC to facilitate holistic approaches that aim to address the dearth of disability data and exclusion faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria. He added that DRAC expertise will be sought for constant training and capacity building for staff members and management on disability inclusion as well as the use of the WG Question Sets.
