The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with Sightsavers, officially inaugurated a Special Committee to oversee the implementation of the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
The committee, inaugurated during a two-day capacity-building session, will oversee the rollout and implementation of the framework which aims to provide equitable employment opportunities for Nigerians with disabilities.
The workshop, which had stakeholders from diverse sectors, focused on key aspects of the National Access to Work Scheme, including workplace accessibility audits, the provision of assistive technologies, and the development of inclusive hiring practices.
The event also served as a platform to further familiarize participants with the framework’s guidelines and strategies for creating inclusive work environments.
The framework, jointly developed by the NCPWD, Sightsavers, and TAF Africa in 2024, was officially launched in January 2025. The scheme shows clear support structures, guidelines, and incentives designed to encourage both the private sector and government agencies to adopt inclusive employment practices for persons with disabilities.
Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, In his keynote address emphasized the significance of the initiative, noting it represents a major leap toward achieving full inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s workforce.
“This initiative is not merely another event but a bold step forward in the struggle for equity, dignity, and full inclusion of persons with disabilities in our national workforce,” he said.
He further highlighted that the scheme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive society.
The framework implementation is grounded in key legal instruments that guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities to access employment on equal terms with others. Among these is the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which mandates the provision of reasonable accommodation in the workplace.
Additionally, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) asserts the right to equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
“Together, these instruments not only obligate us,they empower us to build systems that respect and realize these rights,” Gufwan remarked.
The NCPWD’s Access to Work Scheme is designed to address the many barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the workplace, including physical inaccessibility and discriminatory hiring practices. By implementing this scheme, the Commission aims to ensure that over 35.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities are provided with fair opportunities to thrive in the workforce.
Mr. Lawrence Idemudia, Director of Social Integration at the NCPWD, also spoke at the workshop, calling it a critical milestone in the nation’s pursuit of social integration and equity for persons with disabilities.
“This is a critical milestone in our collective effort to advance social integration, equity, and inclusive development for persons with disabilities in Nigeria,” he said, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to dismantling social and economic barriers that hinder the full participation of persons with disabilities.
The event also featured the official inauguration of the Special Committee on Implementation of the National Access to Work Scheme. The committee is composed of representatives from various organizations, including the NCPWD, Sightsavers, TAF Africa, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Federal Civil Service Commission, Chartered Institute of Personal Management (CIPM). The committee will be responsible for overseeing the implementation process and ensuring the effective roll-out of the scheme across the country.
Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Technical Assistant to the NCPWD, facilitated a detailed training session on the global and local contexts of Access to Work Schemes. Dr. Adebayo presented an in-depth analysis of international best practices and guided participants through the process of developing an actionable implementation plan for Nigeria’s national framework.
The training sessions also covered topics like workplace accessibility, the provision of assistive technologies, and strategies for promoting inclusive hiring practices within both the private and public sectors. The discussions centered on identifying the most effective ways to support employers and employees in creating an inclusive and accommodating workplace environment for people with disabilities.
The workshop concluded with strong commitments from all stakeholders present to work collaborative toward the successful implementations of the National Access to Work Scheme.