From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Nigerian government to significantly increase budget allocation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2024 supplementary budget and the 2025 budget to promote inclusivity in Nigeria’s governance processes.
In a statement, CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, emphasised that this crucial step is necessary to address the serious socio-economic challenges faced by PWDs and ensure their full participation in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political landscape, given the limited funds currently allocated to cater for their needs.
Rafsanjani stated that democracy requires equitable treatment and utmost priority for every member of society to thrive. He highlighted that socio-economic and political inclusion of PWDs is paramount for good governance in Nigeria, as inclusivity ensures active participation and contribution towards societal development.
While commending the efforts of the federal government and National Assembly to address challenges faced by PWDs, CISLAC stated that more needs to be done to adequately cater for their daily needs. It urged the government to prioritize increasing PWDs’ budgetary allocation, especially in light of current economic realities.
Despite the passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2018 and the 2024 appropriation bill, CISLAC noted that implementation has been hampered by inadequate funding.
It added that the current budget allocations are grossly insufficient to meet the needs of over 30 million Nigerians living with disabilities, leaving many without access to essential services.
The CISLAC boss noted that PWDs in Nigeria continue to face significant barriers that hinder their full participation in society, including limited access to education, unemployment, and inaccessible healthcare services.
This, it said contributes to the growing sentiment and bias of social exclusion and discrimination, as PWDs frequently face stigmatization and discrimination in public spaces, workplaces, and within their communities. It added that this marginalization impedes their ability to participate fully in civic activities and contribute to national development.
CISLAC urged the government to increase budget allocation for disability-inclusive programs, such as special education, vocational training, accessible healthcare, and infrastructure development. The organization also calls on the government to ensure that persons living with disabilities are not discriminated against, despite the existence of the Disability Discrimination Act 2018.
Specifically, CISLAC recommends: Increasing the budgetary allocation for the education of persons with disabilities, including vocational training, inclusive schools, and skills acquisition programs.
“Increasing the budget allocation for PWDs to provide accessible healthcare facilities and services, rehabilitation centers, assistive devices, and specialized medical care.
“Increasing the budgetary allocation for building accessible public infrastructure, such as government buildings, transportation, and information and communication technologies.
“CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights of PWDs and calls on all stakeholders to join in promoting an inclusive society where every Nigerian, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute to national development.”