Keffi, Nasarawa State — In a landmark step towards promoting inclusive employment for millions of Nigerians with disabilities, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with Sightsavers, has inaugurated a Special Committee tasked with implementing the newly developed Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme.
The event, which marked a major stride in the country’s disability rights movement, took place during a high-level two-day capacity-building workshop at the Golden Dabis Hotel in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The workshop convened stakeholders from across the government, civil society, the disability community, and the private sector.
The National Access to Work Scheme Framework, launched in January 2025 and co-developed by the NCPWD, Sightsavers, and TAF Africa, provides a comprehensive roadmap for achieving inclusive employment in Nigeria. It outlines clear strategies, responsibilities, and support mechanisms for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as private employers to promote workplace accessibility, provide assistive technologies, adopt inclusive hiring practices, and implement enabling policies.
“This is More Than a Workshop—It’s a Movement”
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, set the tone for the event with an impassioned call for transformative action:
“This initiative is not merely another event; it is a bold step forward in the struggle for equity, dignity, and full inclusion of persons with disabilities in our national workforce. We are establishing systems, policies, and practices that make employment accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities.”
Hon. Gufwan affirmed that the Access to Work Scheme directly supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligning with the administration’s broader vision of a just and inclusive society where every Nigerian can thrive regardless of their physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial condition.
Legal Backing: Anchoring Inclusion in Rights-Based Instruments
The Executive Secretary highlighted the strong legal and rights-based foundation upon which the framework rests. He cited the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, which:
- In Section 28, guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to employment in both public and private sectors;
- And in Section 4, mandates the provision of reasonable accommodation within the workplace.
He also referenced Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which affirms the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others and calls for the elimination of discrimination in the workplace.
“Together, these instruments not only obligate us—they empower us to build systems that respect and realize these rights,” Gufwan stated.
Committee Inauguration: Driving Policy Into Practice
The high point of the workshop was the formal inauguration of the Special Committee on the Implementation of the National Access to Work Scheme. The committee, inaugurated by Hon. Gufwan himself, is composed of key actors from both the public and private sectors, including:
- Management staff of the NCPWD
- Representatives of Sightsavers, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), and TAF Africa
- Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Federal Civil Service Commission
- Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM)
- Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)
This multi-stakeholder approach reflects the Commission’s recognition that addressing disability-based exclusion in employment requires collaboration, not just commitment.
Technical Session: Building Capacity for Implementation
Renowned disability inclusion expert and Technical Assistant to the Commission, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, facilitated the training sessions. His presentations provided global and local perspectives on Access to Work Schemes and guided stakeholders through the practical development of an implementation plan tailored to Nigeria’s employment ecosystem.
Participants explored:
- Models of reasonable accommodation
- Strategies for workplace accessibility audits
- Mechanisms for providing assistive technologies
- Approaches for monitoring and evaluating inclusive employment outcomes
Renewed Commitment to Equity and Opportunity
In his remarks, Mr. Lawrence Idemudia, Director of Social Integration at the Commission, described the workshop as a “critical milestone” in Nigeria’s journey towards full social integration for persons with disabilities. He noted that inclusion is not a matter of charity but a question of rights, productivity, and economic justice.
“Through advocacy, policy engagement, and strategic collaboration, we are working to dismantle the social and economic barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from reaching their full potential,” he said.
The workshop ended with stakeholders affirming their commitment to supporting the rollout of the Access to Work Scheme and collaborating to achieve measurable results in disability inclusion across sectors.
A Future Within Reach
With the inauguration of the Special Committee and the roadmap laid out, Nigeria is now better positioned to close the employment gap faced by persons with disabilities. The National Access to Work Scheme represents more than policy—it is a promise of dignity, empowerment, and equal opportunity.
As the implementation phase begins, all eyes are on the Commission and its partners to deliver on this bold, necessary, and transformative vision for an inclusive Nigeria.
Ishaku Kigbu
Head, Media & Publicity
National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
17th June 2025
