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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The federal government has pledged to support initiatives that will enhance inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across all sectors in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Abba Isa, stated this on Wednesday while speaking at the public presentation of the assumptive disability disaggregated data, compiled by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
Isa, while lauding JONAPWD for the initiative, said the database serves as an invaluable resource for policymakers, development agencies, researchers and advocates working to advance disability inclusion in Nigeria.
He noted that the data will also support efforts by the federal government to establish a statutory and official database for vulnerable populations, including Persons with Disabilities.
According to him, “for many years, the absence of credible, comprehensive, and disaggregated data on Persons with Disabilities has remained one of the most critical challenges confronting stakeholders, policymakers, and development partners in Nigeria.
“While various figures have often been cited—some estimating the population of PWDs at 25 million and others projecting between 35 and 40 million—such numbers have largely been based on conjecture or fragmented information.
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“Without reliable data, even the best intentions toward inclusion cannot translate into measurable impact. Data is the foundation of effective planning, policy formulation, project implementation, and the achievement of development objectives.”
The presidential aide noted that “under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government remains committed to supporting initiatives that generate credible evidence and strengthen the capacity of institutions to design inclusive policies and programmes.”
JONAPWD national president, Abdullahi Aliyu Usman, said the disaggregated data highlighted critical issues within the disability demographics, noting that credible data is necessary to address some of the issues confronting PWDs.
Usman said, “Our goal in producing this assumptive report is clear: to address long-standing gaps caused by the absence of comprehensive disability data, gaps that have hindered effective programme design, equitable resource allocation, and evidence-based policy formulation for far too long.
“Without accurate data, inclusion remains an aspiration rather than an achievable standard. This report also highlights critical gender dimensions within disability demographics. Women with disabilities face layered forms of marginalisation, including limited access to education, economic exclusion, gender-based violence, and cultural norms that silence their experiences.
“Addressing disability without addressing gender is therefore insufficient; both must be integrated into every planning and policy framework. It is my hope that this document serves not merely as a record of numbers, but as a call to action. “
