By Lanre Oloyede
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has recommended practical strategies to guarantee equal opportunities for the political inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
He made the call at the One-Day Inaugural National Conference of Heads of State Disability Commissions in Nigeria, organized by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Situation Room (SR).
Outlining his recommendations, Hon. Abba Isa identified the following priority strategies:
- Strengthened Coordination – Regular peer-to-peer engagements among State Commissions to exchange lessons, challenges, and solutions that promote inclusive governance.
- Inclusive Electoral Processes – Collaboration with INEC and state electoral bodies to ensure accessible voting materials, polling units, and electoral guidelines that reflect the realities of PWDs.
- Capacity Development – Training election officials, disability desk officers, and political actors on disability inclusion to dismantle barriers and stereotypes.
- Data-Driven Advocacy – Investing in research and data collection to document the experiences of PWDs during elections and inform evidence-based policies.
- Partnership and Collaboration – Deepening alliances with civil society, international partners, and the private sector to mainstream disability issues in governance.
Hon. Abba Isa assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly committed to advancing access and inclusion for PWDs in all sectors, including Nigeria’s electoral and democratic processes.
“Initiatives have already been put in place to strengthen institutional frameworks, improve accessibility, and create opportunities for inclusive participation,” he said.
The SSA commended JONAPWD, the FCDO, and Situation Room for convening the conference, describing it as “a landmark that will be etched in the history of our country’s disability inclusion journey.”
He urged all Heads of State Disability Commissions to “rise to the occasion” by committing to practical steps that will secure space for the full participation and representation of PWDs in Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on the progress made since the expiration of the five-year moratorium on the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, Hon. Abba Isa noted that more states have begun to domesticate the Act and establish implementing agencies. He, however, called on states yet to do so to accelerate action through stronger collaboration and intensified advocacy.
Describing the inaugural conference as “the missing piece of the jigsaw,” he emphasized that bringing together the Heads of State Disability Commissions/Boards provides a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and joint action that will accelerate implementation of the Disability Act and open wider space for PWDs’ inclusion in democratic processes.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that PWDs are not only voters but also aspirants, candidates, and decision-makers in future elections, in line with international commitments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the National Disability Act, 2018.
“As the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, I wish to state categorically that my office is always open for partnership, dialogue, and collaboration. Together, we can provide innovative solutions that bridge the gap between individuals with disabilities and equal participation in the democratic space,” Hon. Abba Isa concluded.
