The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, has declared his vision for Nigeria to become the most disability-friendly country in the world, emphasising that inclusion is no longer optional but a necessity.
Gufwan expressed this while hosting a delegation from Project Enable Africa.
“My greatest desire is to see Nigeria become the most disability-friendly country in the world. With over 35 million persons with disabilities, inclusion is no longer optional; it is a necessity. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind,” Gufwan stated.
The NCPWD chief commended Project Enable Africa for their continuous efforts in championing disability rights through data-driven advocacy and grassroots engagement.
During the meeting, the Project Enable Africa delegation, led by Project Director Mr Michael Ojediran, presented a report from a nationwide research project carried out in 2024 to assess the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The research revealed that 23 states have enacted their own disability laws, while 15 states currently operate agencies to implement disability-related policies.
The report evaluated five critical areas, including accessibility, education, employment opportunities, social protection programmes, and interventions for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Ojediran explained that the research aims to encourage states to deepen their commitment to disability inclusion by tracking progress and promoting transparency in policy implementation.
He introduced a ranking framework developed by the organisation to recognise high-performing states and motivate others to improve their disability inclusion efforts.
Chief Gufwan highlighted the limitations of government funding and called on private sector actors, donor communities, and development partners to support national efforts toward disability inclusion.
“The government alone cannot carry the financial responsibility of inclusion. We must leverage partnerships to close the gap and create a sustainable impact,” he said.
The Executive Secretary expressed full support for Project Enable Africa’s initiatives and reiterated the Commission’s readiness to collaborate in advancing the rights and well-being of all Nigerians with disabilities.
He welcomed the initiative, noting that it aligns with the Commission’s strategic priorities for advancing disability rights across the country.
Gufwan assured the Project Enable Africa team of NCPWD’s commitment to leveraging the research findings to enhance advocacy and policy engagement at the state level.