ABUJA — The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has taken a major step towards changing the narrative around disability in Nigeria with the inauguration of six sub-committees for the PWDs Got Talent Reality TV Show 2026.
The reality television project, being organised in partnership with the Discovering Abilities in Disabilities Initiative (DADI), is designed to discover, develop and showcase exceptional talents among persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Commission’s Conference Room in Abuja, brought together stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of making the groundbreaking talent show a reality.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, said the initiative was conceived to move public perception of disability “from sympathy to ability, from charity to talent and empowerment.”
According to him, the show represents more than entertainment, as it is intended to provide a national platform through which persons with disabilities can demonstrate their talents, build careers and become role models.
14 Finalists to Represent Nigeria’s Six Geopolitical Zones, FCT
The show will feature 14 finalists, comprising two contestants from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and two from the Federal Capital Territory.
The finalists are expected to live together for 30 days, competing in various talent categories while undergoing learning and development activities designed to help them maximise their abilities.
The initiative is anchored on a proposed ₦1 billion Ability Talent Fund, which the organisers say will support the broader vision of discovering and empowering talented persons with disabilities.
Gufwan described the vision as ambitious, stressing that such a project requires strong structures and coordinated efforts to succeed.
“This assignment is not just about a reality show. It is about creating role models, changing mindsets, and giving over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities a platform to show the world that there is ability in disability,” he said.
Six Committees Inaugurated
To ensure effective coordination and delivery, the NCPWD inaugurated six specialised sub-committees.
1. Contact and Mobilisation Committee
The committee will mobilise talented persons with disabilities across the 36 states and the FCT. It will work with JONAPWD, disability clusters, NGOs, associations, community leaders and religious leaders to ensure broad participation.
2. Proposal and Partnership Committee
This committee will develop proposals, pursue sponsorship opportunities and coordinate relationships with government institutions, corporate organisations and development partners. It will also play a central role in efforts to secure resources for the proposed ₦1 billion Ability Talent Fund.
3. Media and Publicity Committee
The committee will drive media engagements across television, radio, online platforms and social media, while creating public awareness and sustaining interest in the show before, during and after the competition.
4. Branding and Marketing Committee
Its responsibility will include developing the show’s visual identity, merchandise, advertising materials and commercial positioning, with the objective of building PWDs Got Talent into a recognisable national brand.
5. Logistics, Protocol and Entertainment Committee
The committee will oversee venues, transportation, welfare, security, protocol, guest and celebrity management, as well as other aspects of event production.
6. Inclusion and Compliance Committee
This committee will focus on ensuring that accessibility and disability inclusion remain central to every aspect of the project.
Its responsibilities will include content development, script review, sign-language interpretation, audio description and disability-sensitive storytelling.
‘We Are Creating More Than a TV Show’
The NCPWD Executive Secretary urged members of the various committees to approach the assignment with commitment, professionalism and a shared sense of purpose.
He stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on the ability of the committees to work together and deliver a platform that reflects the talents and aspirations of persons with disabilities.
Gufwan formally inaugurated the six sub-committees and called on members to work collectively towards making the project a landmark initiative for disability inclusion in Nigeria.
“Let us go and make history together,” he declared.
The PWDs Got Talent Reality TV Show 2026, with its theme “Discovering Abilities in Disabilities,” is expected to place talent, creativity and empowerment at the centre of conversations about persons with disabilities, while providing a platform for contestants to connect their abilities with opportunities beyond the show.
