Nigeria stakeholders advocate for disability inclusion in national policy

Stakeholders in Nigeria are advocating for the systematic inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in national policy-making and legislative frameworks. During a UNESCO-convened consultation in Abuja, Dr. Isaias da Rosa emphasized that disability inclusion is a developmental and human rights necessity that must be integrated into policy from the outset rather than added as an afterthought.

In a separate workshop in Ibadan, experts called for the Federal Government to update the Nigeria Climate Change Act 2021. Professor Tajudeen Akanji urged that climate change policies must address the unique vulnerabilities faced by PWDs to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Participants highlighted the critical need for accurate data collection and visibility to ensure that government interventions and climate resilience efforts do not leave people with disabilities behind.