Development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting disability inclusion in Nigeria as preparations intensify for the Nigeria National Disability Summit (NNDS) 2025.
The Summit, being organized by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), is expected to serve as a major turning point in advancing equal participation, accessibility, and inclusive governance for persons with disabilities across the country.
The two-day event, themed “Inclusive Nigeria: Empowering Persons with Disabilities for Sustainable Development,” will take place in Abuja from October 29 to 30, 2025.
It is being organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, with support from the German and Swiss Governments, the European Union (EU) through GIZ Nigeria, the International IDEA Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, and Sightsavers.
According to the NCPWD, the summit will bring together key actors from government, civil society, the private sector, development institutions, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to chart a roadmap for disability inclusion and participatory development.
It will also provide a platform to review Nigeria’s progress on its Global Disability Summit (GDS) commitments and identify practical measures to accelerate inclusive reforms.
The Commission noted that the discussions will focus on expanding inclusive employment opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship, improving digital accessibility, and promoting data-driven policymaking. The Summit will also spotlight strategies for building accessible infrastructure and fostering partnerships that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nigeria currently has an estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities. While the country has made significant progress through the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, implementation of the law remains uneven. Only 23 states have domesticated the Act, and just 15 have established functional disability agencies, leaving gaps in the realization of rights and access to services.
A major highlight of the Summit will be the formal launch of the National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies (NAFDCA), a coordination platform aimed at deepening collaboration among states and strengthening the enforcement of disability rights and policies nationwide.
The Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described the summit as a unifying platform for stakeholders to renew their commitment to inclusion.
“The National Disability Summit is a call to action for all stakeholders to come together and address the challenges that hinder the full participation of persons with disabilities,” he said. “It presents a renewed opportunity to align our collective efforts toward building a truly inclusive Nigeria, one where every citizen can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Hon. Gufwan emphasized that the commission remains fully dedicated to embedding disability inclusion in all facets of Nigeria’s development agenda.
“With the rising concerns around accessibility, education, health, and economic inclusion, this Summit seeks to identify sustainable solutions that will improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians with disabilities,” he noted.
He added that, in view of the interest it has generated, the Summit will be institutionalized as an annual national event.
Development partners supporting the initiative have also underscored the significance of the Summit. Dr. Markus Wagner, Country Director of GIZ Nigeria, urged stakeholders to approach inclusion as a matter of fairness and shared responsibility.
“This forthcoming Summit should be seen as more than just a gathering. It is an essential step towards ensuring that persons with disabilities can actively participate in Nigeria’s development. Inclusion is not charity; it is justice and opportunity,” he said.
Professor Joy Shuaibu, Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, commended the NCPWD for taking the lead in advancing inclusion. “The choice of the theme ‘Inclusive Nigeria’ is very apt and aligns with Sightsavers’ vision of a society where all individuals, including persons with disabilities, can participate fully and equally in matters of health, education, leadership, and livelihood,” she remarked.
Similarly, the Project Manager of the International IDEA Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme stressed that, “Our partnership with the NCPWD reflects our shared belief that inclusion must be embedded in governance systems, policies, and institutions. The 2025 Summit offers a unique opportunity to translate commitments into measurable outcomes.”