The European Union (EU) has requested that Nigeria’s government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies commit to fully implementing the terms of the National Disability Act.
The European Union underlined that, while the Act specifies comprehensive policies and practices to accommodate and empower people with disabilities, establishing an inclusive environment that cherishes diversity and promotes social fairness, its influence is meaningless without effective implementation.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the EU made the call during a national dialogue in Abuja commemorating this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The event, titled “Transformative Solutions to Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria,” was organised by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, with EU funding from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Program.
Ruben Alba Aguilera, Head of the Governance, Security, and Migration Section of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, raised concern over the exclusion of people with disabilities from development planning while representing the EU ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Guartier Mignot, and ECOWAS.
“People with disabilities are being left behind in development,” he explained.
“Although inclusion is affirmed in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, many programs continue to exclude individuals with disabilities. Societal barriers continue to expose them to higher rates of violence, poverty, poorer health outcomes, and limited access to school and employment prospects. This is not unavoidable, and we must be intentional in ensuring disability inclusion.”
Aguilera stated that more than 35 million Nigerians had disabilities, with nine out of ten living below the poverty level. “These individuals face daily struggles, and it is our collective responsibility to address their challenges,” he told reporters.
While applauding the government for enacting the Disability Rights Law and establishing the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Aguilera emphasised the importance of immediate implementation. “A law is only as effective as its execution. “We cannot rest on our laurels; it is time to act and devote adequate resources to make this law effective,” he remarked.
Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, addressed the audience through Sunday Hezekiah, Director of the Special Needs Department. Yilwatda emphasised the importance of an inclusive society while also highlighting financial issues for disability-related programs. “While the Act mandates education, welfare, and other provisions for persons with disabilities, resources allocated by the National Assembly remain grossly inadequate,” he said.
