Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Federal Government has issued a stern warning to financial institutions that violate the accessibility laws for persons with disabilities, threatening to impose stringent sanctions. This comes in response to recent reports of alleged discrimination against a wheelchair user, Chris Agbo, at one of the ppular banks located in Area 3, Abuja.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Ayuba Gufwan, expressed the government’s position during an interview with journalists on Monday, following the incident that occurred on September 18th, 2024. The incident, which took place around 11:45 a.m., once again brought to the forefront the persistent challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in accessing essential services across the country, particularly within financial institutions.
According to Mr. Gufwan, Mr. Agbo attempted to access the banking hall and the ATM machine at the bank but faced significant barriers due to the absence of ramps and other assistive facilities. Left with no way to enter the premises himself, Mr. Agbo had to send his aide inside the bank to seek assistance. However, the aide was informed that the bank’s ATM machine was not operational at the time, leaving Mr. Agbo without any viable options to complete his transaction.
“This unfortunate incident highlights the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria, despite the existence of laws meant to protect their rights,” Mr. Gufwan stated. “It’s unacceptable that in this modern age, people with disabilities are still struggling to access essential services, especially in places like banks that are meant to be inclusive and provide services for all citizens.”
In response to this incident, the NCPWD has launched an investigation not only into this specific case but also into other similar incidents reported across the country. Mr. Gufwan emphasized that the commission would not hesitate to take legal action against any organization found violating the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018. This law mandates that all organizations, both in the private and public sectors, make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
“We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or inaccessibility in any private or public buildings against persons with disabilities,” Mr. Gufwan declared emphatically. “It is very unfortunate to see how the disability community continues to be shortchanged. Many banks in Nigeria lack ramps, and this makes it incredibly difficult for wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments to access essential banking services.”
He further elaborated on the financial risks PWDs face when denied direct access to banking facilities, explaining that many are forced to rely on third parties to withdraw money on their behalf. This often leads to PWDs revealing sensitive information such as their ATM PINs, putting them at risk of fraud. “Due to their inability to access banking facilities, their monies are often stolen by fraudsters. Many of them are taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals when they have to rely on others to assist them,” he added.
The Executive Secretary condemned such acts of discrimination, calling them unacceptable, and insisted that it is high time organizations comply with the law. “We condemn in the strongest terms the inability of banks, schools, hospitals, and other public service providers to provide ramps and other assistive facilities that enable persons with disabilities to access their services with dignity and ease.”
Mr. Gufwan stressed that the commission is committed to enforcing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and will ensure that organizations failing to comply with its provisions face the full force of the law. He reiterated that the NCPWD is empowered by law to sanction individuals or organizations that violate accessibility requirements. “The bill that established this commission provided a five-year window for all organizations to make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. That period ended last year, which means we are now in the year of action. There will be no more excuses.”
The NCPWD’s commitment to enforcing the law means that any organization or institution, including financial institutions, that fails to modify their structures to accommodate persons with disabilities, will face sanctions. The commission, according to Mr. Gufwan, will step up its efforts in supervision, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure that all public buildings and spaces comply with the accessibility law.
“This is a critical moment for ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind. We will intensify our efforts to inspect, monitor, and evaluate all public buildings across the country to make sure that every structure serving the public fully complies with the accessibility law,” he said. “There is no justification for the continued exclusion of persons with disabilities from public spaces. Banks, educational institutions, hospitals, and other public service providers must ensure that their facilities are accessible.”
The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 provides a comprehensive legal framework that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and mandates that public buildings and spaces be accessible to persons with disabilities. It also stipulates that organizations that fail to comply could face significant penalties, including fines and other punitive measures.
The commission’s announcement has sparked widespread discussion about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, with advocates urging both the public and private sectors to take proactive steps in ensuring that persons with disabilities can access services without hindrance.
Mr. Gufwan’s remarks serve as a reminder of the pressing need to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, who continue to face systemic barriers in many aspects of everyday life. His declaration that “we will ensure strict supervision, monitoring, and evaluation” should be seen as a wake-up call for organizations that have not yet taken the necessary steps to comply with accessibility laws.
The NCPWD’s firm stance signals a shift towards more rigorous enforcement of disability rights in Nigeria, and it is hoped that this will encourage organizations to act swiftly in making their facilities more accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of physical ability. As the government intensifies its efforts to ensure compliance, it is expected that more attention will be given to issues of accessibility, thereby promoting a more inclusive society where everyone can exercise their rights and access essential services without barriers.
This recent incident serves as a call to action for all organizations to take responsibility and ensure that no one is left behind, and it remains to be seen how financial institutions and other service providers will respond to the NCPWD’s commitment to enforcing the law and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
