Disability rights groups in Nigeria demand inclusion and policy implementation

The Ogoni Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (OGAPWD) has called for representation in the ongoing dialogue between the Ogoni people and the Nigerian Federal Government regarding the potential resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland. The group’s President-General, Comr. Baridapdoo Joy Ngo, stated that any dialogue excluding persons with disabilities cannot claim to represent the entire Ogoni population, noting that they face the same environmental degradation and consequences as others.

Separately, organizations of persons with disabilities have urged the Nigerian government to improve the implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive Education (Revised, 2023). During a workshop organized by Rights in Action and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, officials highlighted that while legal frameworks exist, barriers such as inaccessible facilities, inadequate teacher preparation, and limited access to assistive devices continue to hinder educational equity for children with disabilities.