Abuja, Nigeria — In a powerful declaration of commitment to disability inclusion, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, delivered a resounding keynote address at the official launch of the 3-Year Action Plan for the Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development (D-RAPID) in Abuja.
Held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel, the event marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward disability-inclusive governance. The D-RAPID project, co-funded by CBM International and the European Union (EU), aims to bolster the implementation of Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, through strategic advocacy, institutional capacity-building, and inclusive development practices across the country.
“Time for Implementation Is Now,” Presidency Declares
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Abba Isa delivered a message of hope and action to hundreds of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society actors, development partners, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
“The moratorium period provided by the Act has long expired. The time for implementation is now, and no further delay can be justified,” he declared, reinforcing the urgency of translating Nigeria’s disability legislation into everyday reality.
Describing the launch of D-RAPID as both “timely” and “transformative,” Hon. Abba Isa commended CBM International and the EU for their foresight and unwavering commitment to the rights of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities. He emphasized that development cannot be inclusive unless persons with disabilities are not only included but actively leading in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Strategic Alignment with Presidency’s Disability Agenda
In a major policy announcement, Hon. Abba Isa revealed that his office has developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan to drive the full implementation of the National Disability Act and pledged to align the plan with the D-RAPID framework to ensure maximum synergy.
“I am ready to partner with CBM and the EU to advance our shared vision. A formal copy of our strategic plan will be submitted to your offices very shortly,” he affirmed.
This alignment, he noted, reflects the administration’s whole-of-government approach to disability inclusion. He reiterated that the Federal Government is working closely with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and other MDAs to mainstream disability perspectives into policy, planning, and budgeting processes.
President Tinubu’s Commitment: Local Action, Global Standards
Hon. Abba Isa reminded the audience of President Tinubu’s bold move on October 19, 2023, when he signed the instrument of ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa—a significant milestone that demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to both national laws and international obligations.
“The President has given me a clear mandate—to create avenues of opportunity and empowerment for persons with disabilities and ensure their full inclusion in all aspects of governance and national life,” Hon. Abba Isa stated.
Recommendations for D-RAPID’s Success
Hon. Abba Isa outlined five critical recommendations to ensure the successful implementation of the D-RAPID project:
- Strengthen OPD Leadership and Representation
Persons with disabilities must be leaders, not just beneficiaries. Their lived experiences are vital to shaping policies that truly work. - Institutionalize Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
Collaboration with MDAs, OPDs, civil society, private sector, and traditional and religious leaders is essential for sustainable enforcement of disability rights. - Adopt a State-Level Implementation Strategy
With much of the Act’s implementation lying at the state level, D-RAPID must engage with states—especially those yet to domesticate the law. - Invest in Legal Awareness and Accessibility Training
Public officials and service providers must be equipped with knowledge to drive voluntary compliance and dismantle discrimination. - Build Robust Data and Evidence Systems
Reliable data, monitoring, and storytelling tools are needed to track progress and amplify impact.
A National Call to Action
In a stirring conclusion, Hon. Abba Isa reiterated the Presidency’s full support for D-RAPID and called on all stakeholders to shift from “rights on paper to rights in practice.”
“The future we seek is one where disability rights are not treated as an afterthought, but as an essential pillar of national development. The launch of D-RAPID gives us another opportunity to make that future possible—and together, I believe we can,” he declared to a standing ovation.
The event not only launched a project but sparked a renewed commitment to inclusive development in Nigeria—where no one is left behind.
With strategic government backing, international support, and grassroots leadership from the disability community, D-RAPID promises to be a game-changer in the realization of disability rights in Nigeria.
