The European Union has urged the Nigerian government to ensure effective implementation of the National Disability Act. The EU emphasized that while the Act provides a comprehensive framework for empowering persons with disabilities, its impact will be negligible without proper implementation.
During a national dialogue held in Abuja to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the EU appealed to the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government to commit to fully implementing the Act’s provisions.
Ruben Alba Aguilera, Head of the Governance, Security, and Migration Section at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, expressed concern over the exclusion of persons with disabilities in development planning. He noted that over 35 million Nigerians live with disabilities, with 9 out of 10 living below the poverty line.
Aguilera commended the government for passing the Disability Rights Law and establishing the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. However, he stressed the need for swift implementation, stating that “a law is only as effective as its implementation.”
The dialogue also featured remarks from various stakeholders, including Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
The EU reiterated its commitment to prioritizing the welfare of persons with disabilities through its disability-inclusive international partnerships and interventions in Nigeria.
