As the world marks the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has reiterated its demand for urgent, systemic changes to dismantle the staggering barriers still faced by millions of Nigerians with disabilities.
According to CCD, this year’s theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” reflects what the organization describes as its long-standing commitment to promoting the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
In a statement by its Acting Director, Godwin Unumeri, CCD reaffirmed its dedication to building a society where persons with disabilities can access equal opportunities and participate fully in national development. The organization noted that it has spent years advocating the mainstreaming of disability inclusion across programmes and policies implemented by both state and non-state actors.
Despite legislative frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, CCD expressed concern that persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers. These barriers, it said, include deepening poverty, limited access to decent work, and exclusion from social protection systems, especially in the informal sector.
The statement highlighted additional challenges faced by persons with disabilities, including restricted access to assistive technologies, inaccessible public environments, and persistent stereotypes that undermine their dignity.
“These challenges are further compounded by their exclusion from governance processes, political participation, and leadership spaces,” CCD noted, emphasizing that this exclusion often means their voices are missing when policies that affect them are being shaped.
Calling for urgent and coordinated action, CCD stressed that “no society can achieve genuine social progress while millions of its citizens remain excluded. It argued that disability inclusion must be a central pillar of education, employment, healthcare, infrastructure, and public services if Nigeria truly seeks sustainable development”.
CCD further linked its call for inclusion to key components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It emphasized that progress on SDGs 4, 8, 10, 11, and 17 cannot be achieved without integrating persons with disabilities in national planning and resource allocation. According to the organization, these goals highlight equitable education, decent work, reduced inequalities, accessible communities, and improved disability-disaggregated data.
In translating this years theme into action, CCD outlined priority areas for government, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
First, it called for the mainstreaming of disability inclusion across all policies and development plans. “Policies must reflect the lived experiences and realities of persons with disabilities,” the organization insisted.
The group also called for stronger commitments to inclusive education, economic empowerment, and accessible infrastructure. It emphasized the importance of disability inclusive recruitment systems, entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and equal pay.
“The economic empowerment of persons with disabilities is vital for achieving social progress,” CCD stated, urging institutions to eliminate barriers to financial services and employment opportunities.
CCD further called for enhanced political participation and leadership opportunities for persons with disabilities. It noted that inclusive governance strengthens democracy and ensures that national development reflects diverse voices.
Additionally, the organization urged stakeholders to involve persons with disabilities in sustainable development efforts, including climate adaptation, environmental management, and food security initiatives.