The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the Nigerian government to prioritize the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by significantly increasing the budget allocation for PWDs in the 2024 supplementary budget and the 2025 budget. This crucial step aims to address the serious socio-economic challenges faced by PWDs and ensure their full participation in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political landscape.
CISLAC emphasizes that democracy requires every member of society to be treated equitably and with utmost priority to fully thrive as a functioning member. The inclusion of PWDs in Nigeria’s governance system is paramount for good governance. Active participation of all members, including PWDs, ensures that each person contributes to societal development. This is supported by various national, regional, and international conventions on the rights of PWDs, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Despite the enactment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2018, which aims to protect the rights of PWDs and promote their integration into society, implementation has been hampered by inadequate funding. The current budget allocations are insufficient to meet the needs of over 30 million Nigerians living with disabilities, leaving many without access to essential services such as education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and accessible infrastructure.
Persons with disabilities in Nigeria face significant barriers that hinder their full participation in society. These challenges include limited access to education, high unemployment and underemployment rates, and inaccessible healthcare services. Many children and adults with disabilities are deprived of quality education due to inadequate and inaccessible facilities, lack of proper skills acquisition programs, and discriminatory practices. This results in high illiteracy rates among PWDs, limiting their potential and employment opportunities.
Unemployment and underemployment rates are higher among PWDs compared to their non-disabled counterparts. In the current economic realities, increasing the budget allocation for PWDs is pivotal for the government to impact their lives positively and contribute to national development. Many employed individuals with disabilities often find themselves in low-paying and insecure jobs, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and social exclusion.
Inaccessible healthcare services exacerbate health disparities and reduce life expectancy among PWDs. Many healthcare facilities in Nigeria are not equipped with the necessary technologies to cater to the specific needs of PWDs. This lack of accessibility to health infrastructures and facilities for specialized care contributes to social exclusion and discrimination. PWDs frequently face stigmatization and discrimination in various aspects of life, impeding their ability to participate fully in civic activities and contribute to national development.
CISLAC urges the Nigerian government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the rights and well-being of PWDs by increasing the budget allocation for disability-inclusive programs. The government should ensure that persons living with disabilities are not discriminated against, despite the existence of the Disability Discrimination Act 2018. Key areas for increased budgetary allocation include education, healthcare, employment and economic empowerment, and infrastructure. Investment in special education programs such as vocational training, inclusive schools, workplaces, businesses, and skills acquisition programs to equip PWDs with the skills needed for gainful employment is essential. Provision of accessible healthcare facilities and services, including rehabilitation centers, assistive devices, and specialized medical care for PWDs is critical for improving their health and enabling them to go about their daily activities. Implementation of legislations and policies that promote employment opportunities for PWDs, support for entrepreneurship, and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in the workplace are necessary. Development of accessible public infrastructure, including government buildings, private buildings, bus stops, banks, parks, hospitals, and transportation systems, and enforcement of existing laws that sanction violators of accessibility provisions is also required.
CISLAC reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the rights of PWDs and calls on all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, media, youth, and women groups, to join hands in promoting an inclusive society where every Nigerian, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute to national development.