FGN inaugurates national forum to advance disability inclusion
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies in Nigeria (NAFDCA) to strengthen inclusive development and institutional coordination across Nigeria. The launch took place during a two-day workshop held from Monday, 27th through Tuesday, 28th in Abuja. The initiative, organized by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in […]
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies in Nigeria (NAFDCA) to strengthen inclusive development and institutional coordination across Nigeria.
The launch took place during a two-day workshop held from Monday, 27th through Tuesday, 28th in Abuja.
The initiative, organized by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction, with support from International IDEA through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, Sightsavers, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN), German and Swiss Governments, the European Union (EU) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH GIZ Nigeria and RedAid Nigeria, brings together state-level disability commissions and agencies, and development agencies.
Speaking at the opening, Dr. Adebayo Adebukola, Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, described the Forum as “a vital coordination platform to harmonize our efforts, share good practices, and ensure that no person with a disability is left behind in our national development agenda.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Deji Ademefun, in his address on the theme “Progressing on Disability Inclusive Development in Nigeria: Moving from Policy to Practice through Effective Inter-Governmental Relations,” focused on translating Nigeria’s disability laws into action.
Delivering the welcome address, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of NCPWD, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to inclusive governance. “Our dream of a disability-inclusive Nigeria cannot be realized without the synergy and shared vision of each state’s disability commission or agency,” he said.
He emphasised that the Forum would enhance accountability, policy coherence, and resource mobilization. “The National Forum will not only improve coordination among disability institutions but also give a stronger voice and visibility to persons with disabilities at all levels of policy making,” Gufwan added.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in disability governance in Nigeria. Inclusion is not an act of charity — it is an act of justice and an investment in national development,” Gufwan said.
The Forum aims to institutionalize structured engagement between government, OPDs, and development partners, focusing on inclusive budgeting, data systems, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.
The forum adopted its Terms of Reference and elected its leaders during their first inaugural meeting.