Abuja, Nigeria — In a bold and landmark step toward economic inclusion for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with the Peace for Humanity Foundation, has inaugurated a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to plan and mobilise funds for the establishment of specialised Farm Cities for PWDs across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
The event, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja and themed “Breaking New Grounds for the Neglected,” attracted high-level government officials, disability rights advocates, development partners, and key stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
A ₦70 Billion Vision for Inclusion and Growth
According to project leads, the Farm Cities initiative represents an ambitious ₦70 billion empowerment programme designed to transform how disability inclusion is practiced in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic sectors. The initiative will integrate agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship, and skill acquisition into accessible, self-sustaining hubs for PWDs nationwide.
These hubs are expected to include mechanised crop farming, livestock projects, ICT facilities, engineering workshops, and processing clusters — creating multiple avenues for productivity, job creation, and wealth generation.
Government and Stakeholder Endorsements
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, described the Farm Cities project as a strategic shift from rhetoric to implementation, affirming that PWDs should be recognised as contributors to national development rather than mere beneficiaries of policies.
“The launch of this Committee marks a milestone in Nigeria’s inclusive development journey,” Gufwan said, emphasising that the initiative “reflects a deliberate effort to unlock the economic potential of persons with disabilities.”
Ministerial Commitment under Renewed Hope Agenda
Representing the Federal Government, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, pledged his ministry’s full support for the project, underscoring its alignment with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda — a policy framework focused on poverty reduction, inclusive participation, and broad-based economic growth.
Bagudu noted that empowering PWDs through agriculture and enterprise will not only help address unemployment but also strengthen Nigeria’s productivity base in key economic sectors.
Civil Society and Disability Voices on Board
The event also featured remarks from Mr. Godwin Thompson Udo, Executive Director of the Peace for Humanity Foundation, who affirmed the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that the Farm Cities project delivers sustainable, life-changing impact for PWDs nationwide.
In addition, Mallam Abdullahi Mohammed, National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), praised both government and partners for prioritising inclusion, pledging his organisation’s ongoing support for grassroots mobilisation and advocacy to ensure the initiative’s success.
A New Era for Inclusive Agriculture
The inauguration of the LOC — tasked with mobilising funds, coordinating partnerships, and driving implementation across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones — signals a turning point in mainstreaming disability inclusion into the nation’s agricultural and economic development plans.
Stakeholders believe that, if executed effectively, the Farm Cities initiative could serve as a national and continental model for disability-inclusive agribusiness and rural development — showcasing how strategic investment, planning, and stakeholder collaboration can uplift marginalised communities and expand opportunities for all Nigerians.
