From Promises to Progress: Why Nigeria Must Turn Disability Commitments into Action
By Matthew Eloyi
For millions of Nigerians with disabilities, inclusion has often remained a promise made in conference halls rather than a reality experienced in everyday life. Yet a growing movement led by disability advocates is seeking to change that narrative by demanding that government commitments translate into tangible improvements in education, healthcare, employment, social protection and accessibility.
That was the central message delivered by Abdullahi Aliyu Usman, National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), represented by Bukunmi Adejumo, Programme Officer, during a media roundtable with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
At the heart of the discussion was the Global Disability Summit (GDS), the world’s largest platform dedicated to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Established in 2017, the summit has evolved into a global mechanism bringing together governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations and organisations of persons with disabilities to promote disability-inclusive development and humanitarian action.
For Nigeria, the significance of the summit goes beyond international engagement. It presents an opportunity to transform disability rights from policy statements into practical outcomes that improve lives.
The challenge facing persons with disabilities in Nigeria is not simply the absence of commitments. Rather, it is ensuring that existing commitments are implemented, monitored and sustained. This is where the Nigeria 2025 Global Disability Summit Commitments Action Plan comes in.
Developed by organisations of persons with disabilities in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), with support from the Disability Rights Fund, the action plan seeks to provide a roadmap for engagement with government institutions. More importantly, it is designed to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities and create a framework through which citizens can hold public institutions accountable.
The document represents a shift from advocacy based solely on appeals to advocacy grounded in measurable commitments. For disability advocates, accountability remains the missing link in Nigeria’s inclusion journey.
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Despite the passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, barriers continue to exist in public infrastructure, education, healthcare services and employment opportunities.
The action plan therefore places significant emphasis on the responsibilities of both demand-side and supply-side actors. On the demand side, organisations such as JONAPWD are expected to mobilise citizens, raise awareness, monitor implementation and continue advocating for inclusive policies.
On the supply side, humanitarian agencies, government ministries, departments and agencies are expected to mainstream disability inclusion into their programmes and services. This includes making emergency responses accessible, improving healthcare access, promoting inclusive education, creating disability-friendly workplaces and ensuring climate adaptation measures do not leave persons with disabilities behind.
The emphasis on climate action is particularly noteworthy. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, persons with disabilities often face disproportionate risks during emergencies due to inaccessible evacuation plans, communication barriers and inadequate support systems. Advocates argue that true resilience can only be achieved when vulnerable populations are fully integrated into disaster preparedness and response frameworks.
Equally important is the focus on accessibility. Accessibility is often misunderstood as merely the construction of ramps. In reality, it encompasses the design of environments, services, technologies and information systems that can be used by everyone regardless of ability. It is the foundation upon which meaningful inclusion is built.
Without accessible schools, hospitals, workplaces, transportation systems and digital platforms, other development efforts risk excluding millions of citizens.
The broader significance of the Global Disability Summit lies in its recognition that disability inclusion is not a charitable undertaking but a development imperative.
When persons with disabilities are excluded from education, employment and public life, countries lose valuable talent, innovation and economic productivity. Conversely, inclusive societies benefit from the contributions of all citizens.
Nigeria’s disability movement is therefore pushing for a fundamental change in perspective: from viewing persons with disabilities as beneficiaries of welfare to recognising them as equal participants in national development.
The message emerging from the media roundtable was clear: commitments alone are not enough. What matters now is implementation.
The success of the Nigeria 2025 GDS Commitments Action Plan will not be measured by the number of documents produced or meetings held, but by whether children with disabilities can access quality education, whether job seekers can find equal opportunities, whether healthcare facilities become accessible, and whether public spaces are designed to accommodate everyone.
As Nigeria moves towards the next phase of its disability inclusion journey, the call from JONAPWD is simple but profound: the time has come to move from commitments to impact.
For millions of Nigerians with disabilities, that transition could mean the difference between exclusion and full participation in the life of the nation.