Federal Govt Plans Trade, Business Opportunities For Persons With Disabilities

National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have agreed to establish a technical working committee to develop strategies for integrating persons with disabilities (PWDs) into the ministry’s trade, investment and entrepreneurship programmes.

The agreement followed a meeting between the executive secretary of NCPWD, Ayuba Burki Gufwan, represented by the commission’s director of Social Integration, Lawrence Idemudia, and the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, in Abuja.

According to a  statement issued by Ishaku Kigbu, head of NCPWD Media and Publicity Unit, the commission sought opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026, alongside other initiatives designed to promote entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

Gufwan said the proposed collaboration would enable persons with disabilities to contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s economic development through trade, industrialisation and the creative economy.

He said the commission, established under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, was mandated to promote and protect the rights and welfare of Nigerians with disabilities.

“Disability inclusion is economic inclusion,” he said, adding that persons with disabilities should not be excluded from the country’s trade and industrialisation plans.

“We are not here to ask for charity. We are here to unlock a 35.5 million-strong market of consumers, producers and entrepreneurs through the creative industry and trade and investment strategies,” Gufwan said.

He commended Oduwole for supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in industrialisation, the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and trade expansion.

In his response, the minister assured the commission of her ministry’s support, saying persons with disabilities would be considered for opportunities under its ongoing programmes.

Oduwole said the ministry’s initiatives, including those relating to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), could provide opportunities for PWDs to participate in trade and enterprise development.

She also identified CANEX WKND 2026 as a platform for expanding access to markets, investment and business opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities.

The minister directed officials of the ministry, the commission and its development partners to establish a technical working committee to identify areas of collaboration and ensure the inclusion of PWDs in relevant programmes.

Among its requests, the commission sought approval to showcase the creative talents of persons with disabilities at CANEX WKND 2026, noting that many had abilities in music, film, fashion, visual arts and other creative fields.

It also proposed collaboration on a national reality television talent hunt for PWDs, in partnership with the Discovering Ability in Disability Initiative (DADI).

The proposed programme would cover music, comedy, acting, fashion design, painting, dance, culinary arts, content creation and assistive technology innovation, with the aim of identifying, training and mentoring participants.

Another proposal is the Farm City Project, which the commission is developing in partnership with the Peace for Humanity Foundation to promote opportunities for persons with disabilities in agriculture, business and other career ventures.

The commission said integrating the initiatives into the ministry’s entrepreneurship and MSME development programmes would expand economic opportunities for persons with disabilities and support wealth creation.