Neglect Of PWDs Fuelling Begging Crisis In North, Ganduje Warns

The former Kano State governor and immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has raised alarm over what he described as a worsening crisis of street begging in Northern Nigeria, linking the trend directly to years of neglect of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Ganduje, who spoke on Friday at the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of Let’s Talk Humanity (LTH) in Abuja, urged state governments, development partners, and philanthropists to urgently scale up investment in disability inclusion, warning that continued inaction is deepening poverty and social exclusion.

He said the growing visibility of persons with disabilities on the streets is not a natural outcome, but a consequence of systemic failure.

In his words, “Across Northern Nigeria, people with disabilities have been relegated to the background. That is why we see an array of beggars on our streets day and night. This is not inevitable , it is the result of neglect.”

The former governor , who is the biological father of the founder of Let’s Talk Humanity, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, stressed that with improved access to education, assistive technology, and targeted empowerment programmes, persons with disabilities can become productive members of society rather than dependents.

He argued that modern tools and inclusive education systems are already changing outcomes for many, but insisted that scaling such interventions remains critical.

“With the right investment, those who are physically challenged can develop to the point of becoming employers of labour and contributors in various fields,” Ganduje added.

Also speaking at the event , the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, reinforced the call for systemic inclusion of persons with disabilities, stressing that accessibility must be embedded in design rather than retrofitted after development.

The minister added that future development must prioritise universal access, particularly in digital and technological systems.

“ Technology should empower individuals to navigate the world on their own terms. Inclusion is not optional; it is an obligation. We must move towards accessibility by design,” the minister stated

Earlier, the founder of Let’s Talk Humanity (LTH), Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, said the organisation has remained committed to expanding educational opportunities for persons with sensory impairments, supporting over 1,000 beneficiaries annually.

She described the anniversary event as a reflection of a decade-long journey of impact and resilience.

She called for stronger partnerships and sustained commitment to disability inclusion, stressing the need to move from intention to action

“Our projection for the next 10 to 19 years is to establish a National Resource Centre for persons with sensory impairment, to tap into global knowledge and resources available in more developed. She urged stakeholders to deepen investment in disability-focused education and innovation to expand reach and impact,” she added.