Advocacy Groups, Stakeholders Push for Inclusion, Call for Immediate Government Action
Abeokuta, Ogun State – A resounding call for justice and inclusion echoed through the city of Abeokuta last Monday as persons with disabilities (PWDs) from various parts of Ogun State and beyond converged for a two-day workshop aimed at reviewing and pushing for the implementation of the state’s disability law. The event, themed “Promoting the Implementation of Disability Law in Ogun State,” was organized by the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) and supported by the US-based Disability Rights Fund (DRF).
For nearly a decade, the disability community in Ogun State has been in limbo, waiting for the government to act on a law that was meant to transform their lives. Signed into law in December 2017 by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the legislation was supposed to integrate PWDs into all aspects of society—education, employment, healthcare, and social welfare. However, years have passed, and the law remains nothing more than ink on paper.
A Law Left to Gather Dust
Speaking at the workshop, the interim national president of SCIAN, Abdulwahab Matepo, did not hold back in expressing his disappointment over the lack of progress. He decried the state’s failure to implement the law, describing it as a gross injustice to the over 900,000 persons with disabilities residing in Ogun State.
“It is unfortunate that nearly ten years after this law was signed, nothing has been done. Not only has it not been implemented, but no effort has been made to amend or improve it. Ogun remains the only state in the southwest without a functional disability law. The excuse has always been that the law is not implementable, but nobody is doing anything about it,” Matepo stated emphatically.
He urged participants to take charge of the review process, ensuring that any amendments directly reflect the needs of PWDs. According to him, the disability community understands their challenges better than anyone else and must be the driving force behind the law’s revision.
PWDs Demand Immediate Action
The workshop was attended by representatives from key disability organizations, including the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Nigeria National Association of the Deaf, Albinism Association of Nigeria, National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria, and Integration, Dignity, and Economic Advancement (leprosy survivors). These groups, united in their cause, emphasized the urgency of ensuring that the law becomes a reality.
Dr. Michael Ebohon, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), highlighted the severe impact of government inaction on the lives of PWDs. He noted that the law, if implemented, would guarantee critical rights, including social security benefits, accessible infrastructure, and equal opportunities in employment.
“The Ogun State Disability Law remains one of the most progressive legal documents on disability in Nigeria because it provides for social security benefits for PWDs. Yet, it remains unimplemented. Why is the government dragging its feet for so long? Our people continue to suffer from discrimination, unemployment, and lack of access to essential services,” Dr. Ebohon lamented.
He commended SCIAN for spearheading the review process and pledged the support of all disability clusters to push for the law’s domestication and enforcement.
Legal Experts Weigh In
In his presentation, legal expert and consultant to the project, Mr. Yusuf Iyodo, underscored the constitutional rights of PWDs to enjoy every provision of the law. As a legal practitioner and technical assistant to the House of Representatives Committee on Disability, Iyodo made it clear that Ogun State had no excuse for delaying implementation.
“The Amosun law is not bad. It follows international best practices and aligns with Nigeria’s legal obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). That a particular clause in the law may need amendment does not invalidate the entire law. It can be implemented and improved upon simultaneously,” Iyodo stated.
He urged the present administration to take immediate steps to pass any necessary amendments and ensure the law becomes enforceable. According to him, legal protections for PWDs must not be treated as an afterthought but as a fundamental responsibility of the government.
The Road Ahead: Advocacy, Engagement, and Action
Following the workshop, participants resolved to take their demands directly to state government officials and key stakeholders. The plan includes:
- Engagement with lawmakers to push for speedy amendment and passage of the law.
- Meetings with state government actors to secure commitments for implementation.
- Increased advocacy efforts to raise public awareness about the rights of PWDs in Ogun State.
As the workshop came to a close, one thing was clear: the disability community in Ogun State is done waiting. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.
Will the government listen? Will it finally give PWDs in Ogun the rights they have been denied for nearly a decade? The coming months will tell. But one thing is certain—the disability community will not back down.
