Lagos, Nigeria — As the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) approaches on December 3rd, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in Nigeria is calling for a renewed national commitment to dismantle the barriers that continue to impede the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.
The NCPWD’s urgent appeal comes against the backdrop of the 2025 IDPD, which carries the United Nations theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This theme is a direct continuation of the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar, in November 2025, where leaders recommitted to building equitable and inclusive societies.
The IDPD 2025 places a particular focus on ensuring that people with disabilities are included in all aspects of social, economic, cultural, and political life. The day serves as a call to action, urging governments, stakeholders, and communities to remove barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing health services, and to meet their needs with dignity and respect.
In Nigeria, the challenges faced by persons with disabilities are multifaceted. They include higher risks of poverty, limited access to decent work and lower wages, gaps in social protection, barriers to autonomy and dignity within care and support systems, unequal access to assistive technologies and accessible environments, discrimination in employment, and exclusion from leadership positions, political processes, and governance platforms.
The NCPWD’s renewed commitment to eliminating these barriers is not just symbolic. It is grounded in a series of efforts aimed at promoting inclusion. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been advocating for governments, stakeholders, persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, and communities to intensify collective efforts to erase barriers to health services. Similarly, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has been pushing for stronger national policies to ensure disability inclusion as a driver of real social progress.
Nigeria’s efforts in this regard have shown some progress. However, there is still much to be done. The NCPWD’s call for a renewed commitment reflects a deep understanding that progress is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires sustained effort and commitment.
As the country prepares to commemorate the IDPD, it is crucial that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard and their needs are addressed. The NCPWD’s efforts are a testament to the fact that inclusion is not just a goal but a necessity for a truly just and equitable society.
Source: BO News
Additional reporting by ImNews
