Jalingo, Taraba State — July 24, 2025 – In a landmark move that has sparked widespread celebration within the disability community across Nigeria, His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has signed the Taraba State Persons with Disabilities Commission Bill into law, marking a significant milestone in the state’s journey toward full inclusion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The momentous development was received with great enthusiasm by the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), a powerful consortium of five civil society organizations working collaboratively to ensure the domestication and implementation of disability rights laws across Nigerian states. The cluster, which includes El-New Hope Foundation (Abia State), Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative (Adamawa State), Lawanti Development Community Foundation (Gombe State), Center for Peace Education and Community Development (Taraba State), and the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Abuja, is implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project, funded by USAID through Palladium.
In a press statement issued by Grace Jerry, Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association and Anchor of the ADAC Cluster, the group commended Governor Kefas for what they described as an “inclusive, courageous, and people-centered decision” that will impact the lives of over half a million persons with disabilities in Taraba State.
“Governor Agbu Kefas has written his name in gold. By assenting to this bill, he has not only shown strong leadership but also deep commitment to the values of inclusion, equity, and human rights,” said Grace Jerry.
A Commitment Fulfilled: The Legislative Promise Comes to Life
The passage and subsequent signing of the Taraba State Disability Commission Bill is the culmination of years of advocacy and legislative dialogue, which gained major traction during the ADAC Legislative Retreat held on December 12, 2023, at City Green Hotel, Jimeita, Yola. The retreat brought together key lawmakers, disability advocates, and civil society leaders who rallied support for the bill.
During that retreat, Hon. Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu, Majority Leader of the Taraba State House of Assembly and Member representing Wukari I constituency, alongside other lawmakers, pledged that the Disability Law would “see the light of day.” Today, that promise has become a legislative reality.
Also instrumental to the bill’s progress was Hon. Annas Shua’abu, who bravely sponsored the bill, as well as the House Committee on Social Welfare, whose coordinated efforts ensured the bill received holistic attention and passage.
Beyond Charity: Rights-Based Approach to Disability Inclusion
The newly signed law establishes a Disability Commission in Taraba State, which will oversee and enforce the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, transitioning from a charity-based approach to a rights-based and legal framework for inclusion.
According to ADAC, the legislation will pave the way for inclusive education, accessible healthcare, social justice, and economic empowerment for the disability community—areas that have long been under-addressed due to the absence of a structured legal and policy framework in the state.
“This is more than just the passage of a bill. It is the beginning of a new era for persons with disabilities in Taraba—a future where their rights are protected and their potential harnessed as contributors to the state’s development,” Grace Jerry noted.
Recognition of Stakeholders
The ADAC Cluster also extended appreciation to Dr. Filister Irarimam Musa, Commissioner for Social Justice and Reintegration in Taraba State, whose leadership and inclusive policy approach played a key role in shaping the process. The media and several CSOs were also recognized for their relentless advocacy, awareness creation, and technical support that ensured the bill reflected both global best practices and the local context.
Looking Ahead: From Law to Action
While applauding the Governor’s action, the ADAC Cluster stressed the urgency of immediately setting up the Disability Commission, fully funded and staffed with qualified individuals, including representatives from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
“We await with optimism the establishment of the Disability Commission and urge His Excellency to match his legislative commitment with swift implementation. This will ensure the full enforcement of the law and the transformation of lives that we all envision,” Grace Jerry added.
The signing of this bill positions Taraba as a progressive and inclusive state, aligning with the national push for the domestication of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act across Nigeria.
About ADAC and SCALE
The Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) is one of the clusters under the USAID-supported SCALE Project, implemented by Palladium. The SCALE project supports clusters of CSOs to drive policy reforms and development outcomes through evidence-based advocacy and strategic engagement with government institutions.
With this milestone in Taraba, the ADAC Cluster reaffirms its commitment to supporting more states across the federation to adopt and implement disability-inclusive laws, ensuring that no one is left behind in Nigeria’s development agenda.
