A leading advocacy group, the Inclusive Rights Foundation (IRF), has called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate stronger commitment to the enforcement of disability laws across the country, stressing that millions of Nigerians living with disabilities continue to face daily barriers despite existing legal protections.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the foundation commended the administration for pledging to uphold social inclusion but expressed concern that the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 has remained weak in many states.
According to the group’s Executive Director, Mrs. Grace Adeyemi, the law, which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in education, employment, healthcare, and public infrastructure, “is only as powerful as its enforcement.”
Five years after the passage of the Act, many public institutions and private organizations are yet to comply with its provisions. Most public buildings lack ramps or accessible facilities, employers discriminate during recruitment, and transportation systems are unfriendly to persons with disabilities”.
The foundation urged President Tinubu to issue an executive directive mandating ministries, agencies, and private organizations to implement disability-friendly policies and to allocate special funds for compliance monitoring.
It also appealed to state governments to domesticate and enforce the Act, while encouraging the judiciary to fast-track cases of discrimination against people with disabilities.
“Disability rights are human rights. President Tinubu has a chance to be remembered as the leader who truly broke barriers for millions of Nigerians living with disabilities,” the statement read.
The foundation further emphasized the need for accessible learning materials in schools, provision of sign language interpreters in public institutions, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in policy making at all levels.
Observers say the renewed call reflects growing public pressure on government to prioritize inclusivity, especially as Nigeria moves to align with global human rights and development standards.
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