As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary), Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called for stronger national action to advance disability-inclusive education and fully accessible public infrastructure.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” Senator Banigo reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to building a Nigeria where the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are fully upheld.
She noted that the Day offers a critical reminder that inclusive societies not only protect vulnerable citizens but also benefit significantly from the educational, social, and economic contributions of PwDs when barriers are removed.
Referencing data from the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and international institutions, the Senator highlighted that Nigeria is home to an estimated 29–35 million persons living with disabilities. Visual, hearing, physical, intellectual, and communication impairments remain the most common forms of disability, yet they continue to limit millions of Nigerians, especially in education, employment, and access to public spaces.
Despite the enactment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2018, Senator Banigo lamented that progress remains slow, noting that less than 2% of PwDs complete formal education and only about 1% are employed in the formal workforce.
“As a nation, we must confront the reality that the promise of the 2018 Act remains largely unfulfilled. Seven years after its passage, many public buildings, including schools, remain inaccessible. This delay undermines the dignity of our citizens and contradicts the mandate of the law,” she stated.
Reiterating her recent motion before the Senate, Senator Banigo urged immediate steps to accelerate compliance. She called for:
- A comprehensive progress report from the NCPWD on infrastructural adaptations in educational institutions since 2019.
- Nationwide accessibility audits to identify and prioritize urgent upgrades in schools.
- An intensified national awareness campaign led by the Federal Ministry of Information to ensure accessibility timelines are not further delayed.
- Strict enforcement of accessibility standards by the NCPWD Governing Council across all public buildings and educational facilities.
Senator Banigo reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to legislative oversight that ensures no Nigerian child is denied education due to disability.
“We must build a society where every citizen can learn, move, and thrive without barriers. As we commemorate this global day, let us renew our resolve to make Nigeria a place where the rights of PwDs are protected and opportunities are equal for all,” she added.
