Disability rights and political inclusion in West Africa

Advocates for persons with disabilities in West Africa are intensifying efforts to secure political representation and legislative protections in Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

In Sierra Leone, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) has urged the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) to implement recommendations to ensure that persons with disabilities hold between 2% and 5% of elective and appointive public offices. The PPRC has expressed a commitment to mainstreaming these rights.

In Nigeria, advocacy has focused on both state and national levels. In Bauchi State, stakeholders are pushing for the establishment of a Persons with Disabilities Commission to protect and include the community in governance. Nationally, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is calling for a unified national policy to create a consistent framework across all 36 states.

As the 2027 general elections approach, JONAPWD has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve participation measures. The association also welcomed the appointment of Muhammad Abba Isa as the Director of Persons with Disabilities Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, viewing it as a step toward strengthening political mobilization.