By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the persistent discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) held in Abuja, Hon. Abba Isa, who was represented by his Director Media and Communications, Mr Lanre Oloyede, emphasized that while progress has been made in promoting inclusion over the past decade, significant challenges remain—particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“Across the country, many women and girls with disabilities continue to suffer abuse, neglect, and marginalization,” he lamented. “They are often denied access to education, healthcare, justice, economic opportunities, and even basic dignity. This must change.”
The Senior Presidential aide highlighted the need for intensified community sensitization to dismantle harmful stereotypes and called for urgent reforms in policy implementation. He stressed that healthcare and education must be made accessible at all levels of governance and that the National Disability Act must be fully enforced and domesticated across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also advocated for targeted economic empowerment programs and insisted that the voices of women and girls with disabilities must be heard and centered in decision-making processes. “We must let them lead in shaping their future,” he said.
Commending VDI for a decade of impactful advocacy, Hon. Abba Isa described the organization as a “bold and consistent voice” for the rights, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities.
“The theme of this celebration, ‘10 Years of Impact: Her Rights, Her Voice, Her Future’, encapsulates not only the vision of VDI but also the urgent realities that confront millions of women and girls with disabilities across Nigeria,” he said.
He further reassured the audience of the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing inclusion under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. “Mr. President and this administration frown against all forms of violence, crime, or discrimination against children, women, and girls with disabilities,” he noted. “Our commitment to inclusion is not in words alone—it is backed by policy actions and political will.”
In closing, Hon. Abba Isa urged VDI to scale up its efforts by strengthening its collaboration with government institutions, particularly with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities. He emphasized that such a partnership would enhance the organization’s influence in shaping inclusive policies and advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities nationwide.
The anniversary event marks a significant milestone in the disability rights movement in Nigeria, celebrating a decade of dedicated advocacy by VDI toward building a more inclusive and equitable society
