LAFIA, Nasarawa State — The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission (NSDRC), Hon. Saleh Barde Keana, has made a passionate call for the special recognition and enrollment of girls with disabilities in schools across the state, emphasizing that true gender equality in education cannot be achieved without deliberate inclusion of learners with disabilities.
Hon. Barde Keana made the appeal during the official launch of the Nasarawa State Policy on Gender in Education, an event organized by the State Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). The ceremony, which took place at Jibrin Ahmed Hall, Science School Lafia, brought together education stakeholders, policymakers, gender advocates, and development partners committed to advancing equitable access to education for all.
Delivering his goodwill message, the NSDRC Chairman commended the Ministry of Education and AGILE for their visionary efforts in developing the new gender policy, describing it as a bold step toward eliminating discrimination and promoting educational empowerment for women and girls.
However, he noted that “gender equality will remain incomplete if girls with disabilities are not intentionally included.” Hon. Barde Keana emphasized that disability inclusion is not charity but a matter of human rights, underscoring that every child, regardless of ability or background, deserves access to quality education.
“Education is the fundamental right of every child, including those with disabilities. We must ensure that our schools, policies, and learning environments are accessible and inclusive so that no girl is left behind,” he said.
He urged the Nasarawa State Government to prioritize the enrollment, retention, and empowerment of girls with disabilities, noting that many of them continue to face multiple layers of exclusion — from social stigma and poverty to physical inaccessibility and lack of assistive learning materials.
Hon. Keana also advocated for stronger collaboration between AGILE and the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission to develop a disability-inclusive education framework, one that would identify and address the unique barriers faced by girls with disabilities. According to him, such partnership would not only strengthen the implementation of the new gender policy but also help bridge existing gaps in educational opportunities within the state.
He added that disability inclusion in education aligns with global commitments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The event drew commendations from participants who applauded the Disability Rights Commission for its proactive advocacy and reaffirmed the need for joint action between government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to make inclusive education a living reality in Nasarawa State.
With this renewed call from the NSDRC, stakeholders are once again reminded that no gender policy can truly succeed without integrating disability inclusion, and that the future of education in Nasarawa must reflect the aspirations and rights of all children — especially girls with disabilities.
