Ondo PWDs urges Aiyedatiwa to domesticate National Disability Act

Akure, Ondo State – Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ondo State have issued a passionate appeal to the state government to domesticate the National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.

The call was made during a two-day workshop and town hall meeting focused on budget tracking and citizen engagement, organized by the Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) in Akure.

The Executive Director of DINABI, Engr. Benjamin Olajide, emphasized that domesticating the National Disability Act would significantly improve access to inclusive healthcare, social protection, and economic opportunities for PWDs in the state.

He highlighted the workshop’s objective to empower PWDs with the knowledge to understand the state’s budget cycle, monitor its implementation, and hold the government accountable for commitments to disability inclusion.

“In most cases, citizens don’t care about what is in the budget, and even when they do, they rarely follow up on implementation,” Olajide noted, underscoring the need for active engagement.

Abiodun Olusegun, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Ondo State, expressed frustration over the poor implementation of budgetary allocations for disability initiatives.

He revealed that in 2024, the state allocated N330 billion to the Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, yet less than two percent of the funds were accessed.

“This year, the allocation has been reduced to N228 billion, and we are prepared to track every line item to ensure better outcomes,” Olusegun declared, signaling a renewed commitment to accountability.

The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019, aims to protect the rights of PWDs by ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and socioeconomic opportunities while prohibiting discrimination.

The law also established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to oversee its implementation.

However, Nigeria’s federal system requires states to domesticate the Act for it to be enforceable at the state level. As of 2022, only 20 states, including Ondo, had taken steps to pass disability laws, but full implementation remains a challenge across the country.

PWDs in Ondo State face significant barriers, including limited access to public infrastructure, healthcare, and employment opportunities, compounded by societal stigma and discrimination.

The call for domestication is seen as a critical step toward addressing these challenges and aligning with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified in 2007.

Advocates argue that domesticating the Act would not only safeguard the rights of the estimated 27 million Nigerians living with disabilities but also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive development.

“When we provide access to equal education, good employment, and a quality way of life, it benefits all Nigerians,” said Dr. Olugbenga Ogunmefun, Acting Executive Director of the Advocacy for Disability Act (API), in a related statement.
.The Ondo State government has yet to respond publicly to the recent appeal, but PWDs and their advocates remain hopeful that the state will act swiftly to domesticate the Act and establish robust mechanisms for its enforcement.

The community has vowed to continue tracking budget implementation and engaging with policymakers to ensure that the rights and needs of PWDs are prioritized.As the push for inclusivity gains momentum, the voices of Ondo’s PWDs serve as a reminder of the urgent need for action to create a more equitable society where no one is left behind.