Disability inclusion a matter of justice, not charity — Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to disability inclusion, describing it as a matter of justice, nationhood, and constitutional rights rather than charity. Speaking through the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sanunu, the president made the declaration at the opening of the 2025 National Disability Summit, […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to disability inclusion, describing it as a matter of justice, nationhood, and constitutional rights rather than charity.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sanunu, the president made the declaration at the opening of the 2025 National Disability Summit, held from Wednesday to Thursday at the Armed Forces Officers Mess, Abuja.

“Disability inclusion is not a favour or charity but a right, justice, and nationhood. Every Nigerian, irrespective of status, has equal constitutional rights to education, employment, health care, political participation, and social protection,” Tinubu said.

The summit, themed “Inclusive Nigeria: Empowering Persons with Disabilities for Sustainable Development,” was organised by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, with support from the German and Swiss governments, the European Union, GIZ Nigeria, and other development partners.

Dr. Sanunu emphasised that inclusion goes beyond job creation, describing it as a pathway to national prosperity and resilience.

“Inclusion is therefore not a social agenda but an economic governance imperative,” he said, pledging the government’s commitment to work with civil society, development partners, and the private sector to make disability inclusion the norm.

The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described the summit as a national follow-up to the 2025 Global Disability Summit held in Berlin.

“This is a moment for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to advancing disability inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities across Nigeria,” Gufwan said.

He noted that Nigeria has participated in every global disability summit since 2018, reaffirming its dedication to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

“This summit is also a platform to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities. Their lived experiences, expertise, and leadership are the compass that must guide our policy choices. Disability inclusion cannot be achieved for persons with disabilities—it must be achieved with and by them,” he added.

Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Affairs, Bashiru Daudu, called for increased awareness of the disability acts, stressing that massive sensitisation on the implications of violating disability laws would reduce discrimination and rights violations.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman, represented by Dr. Abia Udeme Nsikak, reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to inclusive policies.

The GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS Country Director, Dr. Markus Wagner, emphasised that inclusive development is critical to Nigeria’s growth.

“Inclusive development is not optional—it is essential for Nigeria’s growth,” he said, referencing Germany’s hosting of the Global Disability Summit and the Amman-Berlin Declaration, which aims to ensure that at least 15 percent of development interventions advance disability inclusion by 2028.