A staggering 25 per cent of Nigeria’s population has one form of disability or another, the federal government has said.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziak Salako, stated this on Monday during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), themed: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” in Abuja.
The event, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, raised awareness of the challenges and opportunities faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
It highlighted critical statistics underscoring the urgency of addressing disability issues in the country as 29 per cent of Africa’s estimated 84 million persons with disabilities reside in Nigeria, with over half of Nigeria’s 25 million PWDs being women. A further 3.6 per cent of the population experiences chronic conditions that severely affect their daily activities.
Dr Salako emphasised the need to integrate disability inclusion into health policies and programs, citing the ministry’s strides, such as the National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women and Girls with Disabilities and the inauguration of the National Steering Committee on Disability-Inclusive Healthcare.
He underscored the significance of universal health coverage and equitable access to opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs). He added that disability inclusion is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a thriving, equitable society.
The 2024 IDPD celebration reminds us of the work needed to address the intersectionality of disability with gender, age, and socioeconomic challenges.
Stakeholders concluded the event with a shared commitment to improving accessibility, eliminating stigma, and amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities in national and global discourse.
