Daud Olatunji
The House of Representatives has expressed grave concern over Nigeria’s poor implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, following alarming statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) that place Nigeria’s population of persons with disabilities (PWDs) at 20 million.
This figure represents approximately 3.9% of the global PWD population of 195 million, underscoring the urgent need for reform and better protection of the rights of PWDs in the country.
During an investigative hearing organized by the House Committee on Disability Matters in Abuja, lawmakers decried the continued neglect of the 2018 Disability Act by government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The Act, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to safeguard the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities, but it has seen little to no enforcement in the public and private sectors.
Leading the call for action, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere stressed that the challenges faced by Nigeria’s PWDs are severe and demand immediate attention.
He pointed out that the persistent failure of MDAs to implement the Act is detrimental to the country’s socio-economic progress.
“This is a major challenge to the government and the people of Nigeria,” Ihonvbere stated.
“The Act, signed into law in 2018, protects the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities, yet MDAs have failed to comply with its provisions. If this continues, it will have damaging consequences on our nation’s development.”
Key provisions of the Act, such as Section 1(i), which prohibits discrimination against PWDs, and Section 2, which mandates the promotion of awareness about their rights and contributions, remain largely unenforced.
Ihonvbere highlighted the persistent discrimination and stigmatization PWDs face due to the lack of enforcement of these protections.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Bashiru Dawodu, echoed Ihonvbere’s concerns, emphasizing that the timeline for the full implementation of the Act had passed without significant progress.
Dawodu warned that the continued delay in enforcing the Act is putting the lives and rights of millions of PWDs at risk.
“The non-implementation of the Disability Act is putting the lives of those it is meant to protect at risk. MDAs have failed to take action, and as a result, PWDs are being denied their basic rights,” Dawodu lamented.
He further stressed that the committee would investigate the level of compliance by MDAs, focusing on critical areas such as accessibility, employment, and inclusion of PWDs in policymaking.
The hearing also featured testimonies from key stakeholders, including Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD).
Gufwan criticized the National Assembly itself for failing to make its facilities accessible to PWDs, sharing a personal experience of escorting a PWD to a restroom that was not disability-friendly.
“When we talk about access, we mean total accessibility—restrooms, parking lots, and all other facilities,” Gufwan said. “Charity needs to begin at home, and the National Assembly must lead by example.”
Disability advocate Adebowale Olorunmola also addressed the lawmakers, urging the National Assembly to set the standard for disability inclusion by ensuring that all its facilities are fully accessible to PWDs.
He called on lawmakers to champion disability rights and advocate for a disability-friendly budgeting system, which would prioritize the needs of PWDs in all aspects of governance.
“The National Assembly should be a reference point for inclusion. It is crucial that the Committee on Disability Matters ensures full accessibility and compliance with international goals for PWDs,” Olorunmola emphasized.
The House Committee on Disability Matters vowed to continue its investigation into the compliance of MDAs and ensure that the provisions of the Act are enforced..
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