… Pushes for Presidential Assent to bill on establishment of Federal College of Education (Special) Dukku
By Lanre Oloyede
In a strategic move to deepen the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has secured the cooperation and technical backing of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
This took place at a high-level engagement meeting held on Friday where Hon. Abba Isa was able to obtain the Minister’s commitment to institutional collaboration aimed at enforcing the National Disability Act.
The meeting focused on establishing a robust framework for inter-ministerial coordination, legal enforcement, and inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in governance and public life.
The Senior presidential aide emphasized the critical role of the Justice Ministry, as the custodian of Nigeria’s legal architecture, in leading efforts to actualize the rights enshrined in the 2018 National Disability Act.
The SSAP lamented that, “Six years after its passage, the implementation of the Act remains grossly insufficient. The rights guaranteed by the law largely exist on paper, with millions of Nigerians with disabilities still denied access to justice, education, employment, and infrastructure.”
The SSAP presented a series of appeals to the Honourable Minister, urging the Ministry to lead by example in implementing key provisions of the Act:
- Implementation of the 5% Employment Quota: In accordance with Section 29 of the Act, Hon. Isa called on the Justice Ministry to implement the mandatory 5% employment quota for PWDs and to issue a directive to other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under its purview to follow suit.
- Accessibility of Court Infrastructure: Highlighting the structural exclusion of PWDs from many courtrooms and registries, he advocated for a national accessibility audit and phased retrofitting of judicial buildings to meet accessibility standards.
- Technical Support and Legal Coordination: The SSA requested sustained technical collaboration from the Ministry to drive nationwide enforcement of the Act and to help streamline inter-agency efforts.
- Representation on the Presidential Task Force: He also sought the nomination of a legal expert from the Ministry to serve on the Presidential Task Force on the Implementation of the National Disability Act.
- Domestication of the Act in 16 States: With only 20 out of 36 states having domesticated the Act, the SSAP appealed for the Minister’s support in leading advocacy tours across the remaining states to encourage legislative action.
- Free Legal Services for PWDs: He called for the development of a policy guaranteeing free legal representation for PWDs in cases involving rights violations and discrimination.
- Training of Legal Officers: Emphasizing the need for an inclusive justice system, he recommended regular training for legal officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies on disability rights law.
- Curriculum Inclusion in Legal Education: The SSAP also proposed the inclusion of disability rights law in Nigerian Law School curricula to foster a new generation of legal professionals grounded in equity and inclusion.
In a related appeal, Hon. Abba Isa called on the Minister to facilitate the swift transmission of the Bill to Establish the Federal College of Education (Special), Dukku, Gombe State, to the President for assent. The bill, sponsored by Hon. Abdullahi El-Rasheed, represents a landmark step in bridging the education gap for students with disabilities, especially in Northern Nigeria.
“The College, when established, will serve as a training ground for teachers specializing in special needs education,” Isa explained. “It will be the first of its kind in the northern region and will promote equitable access to quality education for persons with disabilities across the nation.”
In closing, Hon. Isa described the Ministry’s involvement as “not just a statutory responsibility, but a moral imperative,” stressing that “the true test of justice is how it treats the most disadvantaged among us.”
The Honourable Minister, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in his response, commended the SSA’s passionate advocacy and expressed readiness to work closely with his office to advance disability inclusion and legal reforms. He assured that the Ministry would review and act on the recommendations presented, especially in areas where urgent legal intervention is needed.
Also speaking, Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Lanre Oloyede, commended the Minister for demonstrating commitment to disability inclusion, as evident in the compliance of the buildings and structures in the Ministry with accessibility codes. He noted that he observed the offices and premises were accessible.
In her vote of thanks, Barr. Lilian Odinka, Director of Special Duties, thanked the Minister for receiving the delegation with open arms and a warm reception. She appreciated the Minister for granting audience and showing willingness to collaborate with the office of the SSA to accelerate implementation of the National Disability Act and institutionalize compliance within the Ministry.
With this renewed alliance, the path to a more inclusive Nigeria for persons with disabilities appears clearer—anchored on justice, accessibility, and dignity.
