The executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hon Ayuba Gufwan, has outlined a bold vision and strategic plans for advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), Hon Gufwan emphasised the commission’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.
The NCPWD, established under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, is charged with promoting and enforcing the rights of over 30 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
Hon. Gufwan reaffirmed the commission’s resolve to align with its 5-year Strategic Plan (2022–2027) and the full implementation of the Disability Act through a proposed National Disability Inclusion Architecture (NDIA).
Hon. Gufwan explained that the NDIA would be built on six pillars: strengthening governance and institutional frameworks, developing a National Disability Database, enforcing physical and digital accessibility, facilitating access to assistive technologies, promoting equitable employment opportunities, and enhancing public awareness and advocacy.
Immediate actions include expanding governance interventions, establishing disability support units in local government areas, and piloting accessibility regulations in the Federal Capital Territory and six states across geopolitical zones.
Since his appointment, Hon. Gufwan has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including expanding scholarship schemes for PWDs to promote inclusive education and advocating for a 5% employment quota for PWDs in federal institutions.
Securing 3,000 empowerment slots through collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Acknowledging the absence of reliable demographic data on PWDs, Hon Gufwan highlighted ongoing efforts with the National Population Commission (NPC) to include detailed disability data in the forthcoming digital census.
This initiative aims to provide precise, geo-tagged insights critical for effective policy formulation.
The executive secretary commended partners such as Sightsavers, the World Bank, CBM International, and the British Council for their continued support. Esther Bature of Sightsavers praised the commission’s progress, citing contributions to accessibility plans and capacity-building efforts.
