Nigeria disability advocates call for unified national policy and political inclusion

Stakeholders from the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) are calling for a unified national policy in Nigeria to establish a consistent framework for addressing the challenges faced by persons living with disabilities across all 36 states.

During a South-West summit, participants urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve measures ensuring the full participation of persons with disabilities in the 2027 general elections. The summit also called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to expedite the implementation of disability legislation in his state.

In a related development, JONAPWD has welcomed the appointment of Muhammad Abba Isa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, as the Director of Persons with Disabilities Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. The association noted that Isa’s appointment is a significant step toward strengthening the political representation and mobilization of the disability community ahead of the 2027 elections.