Nigeria’s disability community has launched preparations to ensure strong representation at the 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS), following its absence from the 2022 event where no commitments were submitted.
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) convened a commitments harmonization meeting in Abuja to draft Nigeria’s proposals for the GDS summit, scheduled to take place in Germany in April 2025.
Abdullahi Usman, National President of JONAPWD, emphasized the importance of early preparation, noting that this year’s initiative aims to secure Nigeria’s timely submission of commitments for the summit.
“Our early preparations this year are crucial to ensure Nigeria’s voice is heard on the global stage,” Usman said.
The West Africa Program Manager for DRF, Theophilus Odaudu, stressed that the commitments must align with the priorities of the disability movement.
“The outcomes from the government should reflect our collective desires and priorities, enabling us to advocate effectively for the rights and needs of all persons with disabilities,” he stated.
Joseph Akuse, program manager for the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), presented draft commitments covering key areas including economic empowerment, accessible infrastructure, healthcare access, and inclusive education. The draft also addressed the need for strengthening legal frameworks and developing targeted social protection programs.
During a virtual session with the GDS secretariat in Geneva, Greta Gamberini highlighted that commitments must be SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. She mentioned March 31, 2025, as the final submission deadline for commitments, while for countries who want to be considered to present on stage, an earlier deadline of February 28, 2025, for commitment submission.
Gamberini explained that all commitments undergo a thorough review process by a GDS committee “Once submitted, each commitment undergoes review by a GDS committee to ensure it aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and contains specific, measurable actions,” Gamberini explained
The meeting concluded with disability clusters developing commitments, which will undergo review by JONAPWD’s secretariat to ensure they meet the required criteria.
The initiative marks a significant step in Nigeria’s engagement with global disability rights advocacy, demonstrating the country’s renewed commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.