Disability rights and inclusion initiatives in Nigeria

Efforts to advance disability rights and inclusion in Nigeria have progressed through both localized development projects and national policy initiatives.

In September 2026, the Justice Department and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International, launched the ‘Bold Action for Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusive Development Project’. This three-year initiative focuses on North Central Nigeria, specifically Benue, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, aiming to address barriers in education, healthcare, employment, and political participation.

Concurrently, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) initiated a validation workshop in Abuja to review the Draft National Policy on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This policy seeks to build upon the 2018 Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act by creating a practical framework for the inclusion of persons with IDD. The proposed framework targets improvements in social protection, justice, and transportation, with stakeholders emphasizing the need to translate legal rights into practical implementation at state and local levels.