By Lanre Oloyede
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has reached a Strategic Partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on the effective implementation and enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The partnership was formalized when the leadership and officers of the Persons with Disabilities Unit of the NSCDC paid a familiarization visit to the SSAP office in Abuja.
While receiving the delegation, Hon. Abba Isa described the Corps as an agency strategically positioned to drive compliance with accessibility standards and protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the country
The presidential aide said the establishment of the NSCDC Persons with Disabilities Unit was a significant step toward advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on disability inclusion, noting that the Corps’ nationwide operational structure and enforcement mandate make it an indispensable institution in promoting the rights, safety and welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
According to him, President Tinubu has already approved the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on the Implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, to accelerate nationwide compliance with the law and ensure the full realization of the rights guaranteed to Persons with Disabilities.
He stressed that the success of the task force would depend on strong collaboration with key institutions such as the NSCDC, particularly in enforcing the Accessibility Regulations across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), public institutions and public infrastructure.
Abba Isa also called on the Corps to support compliance with the statutory five per cent employment quota for Persons with Disabilities in public institutions as provided under the National Disability Act.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps occupies a strategic position in advancing the rights, safety and welfare of Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria. Its nationwide presence, enforcement capacity and community-based operational structure make it an invaluable partner in ensuring accessibility standards are respected, discrimination is addressed and institutions comply with the provisions of the law,” he said.
The presidential aide explained that his office was established to ensure disability perspectives are integrated into government policies, programmes and activities through effective collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He noted that beyond law enforcement, the partnership with the NSCDC would strengthen disability inclusion in national security operations, emergency response, disaster management and electoral processes, including preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Abba Isa commended the NSCDC for expressing interest in collaborating with his office to improve monitoring and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in electoral activities and security operations, describing inclusive security as a vital component of inclusive governance.
He further advocated the development of practical frameworks for joint advocacy, capacity building, monitoring, public enlightenment and enforcement to deepen compliance with the Disability Act and improve the quality of life of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities.
Earlier in her remark, the Deputy Commandant of the Corps, DCC Jummai Salamatu Adegoke, who led the delegation alongside other senior officers of the Persons with Disabilities Unit, said the visit was aimed at officially introducing the Unit, familiarizing itself with the mandate of the presidential office and exploring areas of collaboration to achieve the shared goal of advancing disability inclusion.
Adegoke disclosed that the NSCDC Persons with Disabilities Unit was established in 2023 on the directive of the Commandant General of the Corps, Professor Abubakar Ahmed Audi, and was formally inaugurated the same year to strengthen the protection and enforcement of the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
She explained that the Unit currently has 13 officers at the National Headquarters and operates disability desks in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. According to her, the Unit is headed by Commandant Patience Andrew, while she serves as the second-in-command.
She noted that the Unit is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Disability Act and responding to complaints from Persons with Disabilities, adding that it has handled several cases since its establishment.
Adegoke further revealed that although the Unit has an office at the NSCDC National Headquarters, it is also domiciled at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to facilitate the implementation of the Disability Act.
She said the decision to visit the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President was informed by the numerous disability inclusion initiatives being championed by the office.
“We have been watching and hearing about the remarkable work your office has been doing for the disability community. We felt it was important to come, introduce ourselves officially and seek ways of collaborating to further achieve our common goal of protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensuring full implementation of the Disability Act,” she said.
According to her, stronger collaboration between both institutions would provide a more effective platform for enforcing disability laws, promoting accessibility and improving the protection of the rights of Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria.
The presidential aide reaffirmed the commitment of his office to building a strong and enduring partnership with the NSCDC in advancing accessibility, equal opportunities and the full implementation of the National Disability Act across Nigeria.
