The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Wednesday said Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress without ensuring the full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in governance and national development.
The call came during an event in Kano marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which convened disability groups, academics, civil society organisations and advocates to discuss this year’s theme, “Fostering Inclusive Disability Society for Advancing Social Progress.”
CITAD Executive Director Malam Y.Z. Ya’u, represented by Senior Programme Officer Isah Garba, said the IDPD serves as a reminder that inclusion must remain a national priority.
“This celebration reminds us that inclusion is not charity; it is a right. We must work collectively to ensure that persons with disabilities participate fully in social, political and economic life,” he said.
Garba said CITAD would continue working with relevant institutions to strengthen digital inclusion and support reforms that promote disability rights across the country.
The Dean of the School of Special Education at the Federal College of Education Technical (FCE) Bichi, Dr. Auwal Danlami, delivered a lecture on “Inclusive Education as a Foundation for Social Progress,” saying inclusive education must be embedded at all levels of governance.
“No society progresses when part of its population is left behind. Inclusive education is the bedrock for empowering persons with disabilities and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national growth,” he said.
A panel discussion on “Strategies for Achieving Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria” identified ongoing challenges, including limited accessibility, weak enforcement of disability laws and low representation of PWDs in decision-making.
The Co-Chair (CSO) of K-SAFE, Dr. Auwal Halilu, said civil society organisations play an important role in promoting disability rights.
“Civil society organisations raise awareness, push for the implementation of disability laws and hold institutions accountable. Stronger collaboration is needed to build an inclusive Nigeria,” he said.
Participants urged the government and development partners to strengthen efforts in line with global commitments to ensure disability inclusion becomes central to national development planning.
