The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, has sounded a clarion call for the full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Act, expressing concern over its limited adoption across Nigeria.
Speaking through his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, at an event marking the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Speaker decried the slow progress in domesticating the Act, signed into law in 2019. Only 19 out of 36 states have adopted it so far, leaving millions of Nigerians with disabilities vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion.
The event, hosted by the UN Women-Supported Network of Women with Disabilities in collaboration with the National Assembly, was held at the Library Conference Hall of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. It brought together lawmakers, disability advocates, and international organizations to discuss this year’s theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
A Renewed Commitment to Disability Rights
In a passionate address, Rt. Hon. Abass reiterated the 10th House of Representatives’ commitment to ensuring that all provisions of the Disability Act are enforced. These include guarantees of accessibility, education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and the prohibition of all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities.
“We are committed to ensuring that these provisions are fully enforced. Moreover, we are ready to promote the representation of PWDs in decision-making bodies at all levels. Disability does not define the ability to lead, create, or inspire. Inclusion is both a necessity and justice,” the Speaker emphasized.
He also called on states yet to domesticate the Act to act swiftly, noting that the lack of implementation continues to deprive PWDs of basic rights and opportunities.
UN Backs Disability Inclusion in Nigeria
Adding her voice, UN Women Representative to Nigeria, Nesreen Elmolla, who stood in for the UN Resident Coordinator, Mohammed Malik Fall, reaffirmed the United Nations’ unwavering support for Nigeria’s disability community.
“The UN worldwide, and also in Nigeria, is guided by the principle of leaving no one behind. We’ll continue to invest in enhancing personal resilience and professional development, especially for women and girls who suffer the most because of intersectionality,” she said.
A Call for Representation
Lois Auta, Founder and Executive Director of Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF), took the opportunity to advocate for greater representation of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s legislative bodies. Presenting a memo on behalf of over 30 million citizens with disabilities, she demanded designated seats in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly for men and women with disabilities.
“We are here to state categorically in this era of Constitution Review that we want representatives from women with disabilities and persons with disabilities to be given a seat in the National Assembly, in the state Houses of Assembly. We are only asking for three seats, two for women with disabilities and one for men with disabilities,” Auta said.
Her plea underscored the importance of creating spaces where persons with disabilities can advocate for their rights and contribute to national development.
The Need for Urgent Action
The 2019 signing of the Disability Act by former President Muhammadu Buhari was hailed as a milestone in Nigeria’s quest for inclusion. However, the slow pace of implementation has dimmed the impact of this historic legislation. Millions of persons with disabilities still face barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and public participation.
This year’s World Disability Day event served as a rallying cry for stakeholders to intensify efforts toward disability inclusion.
The Path Forward
The Speaker’s commitment to enforcing the Act’s provisions was met with cautious optimism. Disability advocates see this as a critical moment to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
“This is not just about laws on paper; it’s about transforming lives,” said one participant. “We need action, not just promises.”
With the National Assembly pledging to champion the rights of persons with disabilities and the UN lending its support, there is hope that Nigeria can achieve a more inclusive society. The road ahead may be long, but the voices of the disability community are louder than ever, demanding a future where no one is left behind.
