What Nwanoro’s election into UN means for Nigeria’s disability community

Dr Christopher Nwanoro was recently elected to the prestigious UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) for the 2025-2028 term after being nominated by the federal government to represent Nigeria and possibly Africa in the UN CRPD elections. The UN CRPD is a body of independent experts tasked with monitoring the […]

Dr Christopher Nwanoro was recently elected to the prestigious UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) for the 2025-2028 term after being nominated by the federal government to represent Nigeria and possibly Africa in the UN CRPD elections.

The UN CRPD is a body of independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The CRPD, adopted in 2006, is a landmark human rights treaty to ensure the full inclusion and participation of PWDs in all aspects of society. It sets out clear standards for promoting, protecting and ensuring the rights of PWDs worldwide.

The CRPD comprises 18 independent experts – persons of high moral character and recognised competence in human rights.

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According to Article 34, Paragraph 7, the term of the nine members elected will expire on December 31, 2024.

The individuals who were elected to fill the positions on the committee (from 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2028) are Ms Mara Cristina GABRILLI (Brazil), Mr Magino CORPORÁN LORENZO (Dominican Republic), Ms Inmaculada PLACENCIA PORRERO, (European Union) Mr Floyd MORRIS (Jamaica), Mr Hiroshi TAMON (Japan), Ms Gerel DONDOVDORJ, (Mongolia), Mr Abdelmajid MAKNI (Morocco), Mr Christopher NWANORO (Nigeria) and Ms Natalia GUALA BEATHYATE (Uruguay).

Dr Nwanoro

He is a prominent Nigerian diplomat and advocate for PWDs. He has held various positions in the Nigeria’s foreign service. Currently, he’s the Minister, Political, at the Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi, India.

His previous roles included Consul (Information, Culture and Education) and Head of Trade and Investment at the Nigerian Consulate in New York, US, and postings with the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN.

Nwanoro is himself visually impaired, having lost his sight during his university studies. He is a passionate advocate for the rights and inclusion of PWDs. He has spoken about the challenges faced by PWDs and the importance of government policies to address them.

Speaking ahead of the elections, Dr Nwanoro said, “I believe quite well that if I win that election, I will be able to chair that committee based on my antecedents and what I have done in the UN, in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole.”

Dr Nwanoro, who said one of his key areas of focus was improving the accessibility of PWDs to public buildings across Nigeria and Africa, added that, “My presence in that committee will turn things around. We are going to have a positive impact on the lives of PWDs in Nigeria and Africa. And not only that, the level of discrimination and marginalisation we are seeing today; we will try our best to reduce it to the barest minimum.”

Significance

Dr Nwanoro’s election to the UN CRPD marks a significant achievement, not only for him personally, but also for Nigeria and the broader disability community globally. This appointment carries profound implications and opportunities, particularly for Nigeria’s disability community, shedding light on their rights, challenges and the path towards greater inclusivity and empowerment.

Nwanoro has dedicated his career to improving the lives and rights of PWDs in Nigeria. His election to the UN committee is a testament to his expertise, experience and commitment to advancing disability rights globally.

His election provides the much-needed representation for Nigeria’s disability community at the international level. It ensures that Nigerian perspectives, issues and challenges related to disability rights are heard and considered within global discourse and policy making.

As a member of the committee, Dr Nwanoro has a platform to advocate for the rights of PWDs not only in Nigeria, but globally. His leadership can influence international policies and practices, promoting greater awareness and understanding of disability issues.

Also, the committee’s role includes reviewing and making recommendations on state parties’ progress in implementing the CRPD. Dr Nwanoro’s expertise can help shape policies and strategies that advance disability rights in Nigeria, fostering a more inclusive and accessible society.

More so, his tenure on the committee can facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives within Nigeria. This can empower local disability rights organisations, policy makers and stakeholders to better implement and uphold the CRPD at the national level.

Besides, Dr Nwanoro’s achievement serves as a source of inspiration and empowerment for PWDs in Nigeria. It demonstrates that disability is not a barrier to leadership and advocacy on a global stage, encouraging others to pursue similar paths and contribute to societal change.

However, despite this milestone, challenges persist in advancing disability rights in Nigeria. Ensuring alignment of national laws and policies with the CRPD remains a priority while addressing barriers to accessibility in physical environments, education, employment and public services.

Moreover, combating societal attitudes and stereotypes towards PWDs requires concerted efforts in education and awareness.

Nevertheless, Dr Nwanoro’s role on the committee presents opportunities to address the challenges. He is in a position to influence national policies and legislative reforms to better protect and promote disability rights, promote awareness campaigns to change societal perceptions and attitudes towards disability and help to strengthen the capacity of government institutions, civil society and communities to implement disability-inclusive initiatives.

Some Nigerians, particularly those within the disability community and advocacy organisations, are celebrating Dr Nwanoro’s achievement as a source of national pride. His election is seen as a testament to Nigeria’s expertise and leadership in disability rights on the global stage.

There is widespread recognition of Dr Nwanoro’s expertise and dedication to advancing disability rights within Nigeria. His election is viewed as a validation of his years of advocacy and contributions to improving the lives of PWDs.

Also, his appointment has sparked hope among Nigerians that his tenure on the committee will bring about positive changes and advancements in disability rights within the country. Many see this as an opportunity to address longstanding challenges and push for more inclusive policies and practices.

While congratulating Dr Nwanoro, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, stated that his resounding win was not only a significant personal achievement, but also a triumph for Nigeria and the global disability rights movement.

Hon Isa noted that his election stood as a beacon of hope and progress in the ongoing fight for inclusivity and equality for PWDs.

He said, “We are confident that your expertise, passion, and leadership will greatly contribute to the work of the UN CRPD, furthering the cause of disability rights and fostering an inclusive society for all.

“As you embark on this new chapter, please know that you have the full support of the office of the president and all Nigerians. We are proud to have you represent us on such a prestigious platform and are certain that your contributions will leave a lasting impact on the global stage.”

Internationally, Dr Nwanoro’s election has been noted as a positive development in promoting diversity and representation within international human rights bodies. It underscores the importance of including diverse perspectives, including those from developing countries like Nigeria in global policy making on disability rights.

Experts in disability rights have commented on Dr Nwanoro’s qualifications and suitability for the role, highlighting his academic background, professional experience and advocacy track record. They emphasised that his expertise would be valuable in reviewing state parties’ compliance with the CRPD and recommending best practices.

Also speaking on the election of Dr Nwanoro, Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Grace Jerry, said his emergence could not have come at a better time.

She described Dr. Nwanoro as a renowned disability rights advocate whose commitment to the protection of the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities precedes him.

“His election to this Committee further elevates and challenges him to do even more for the global disability community, especially in Nigeria.

“As the second Nigerian to serve on the Committee and given the ironclad support his nomination received from the Nigerian government and other stakeholders, Dr. Nwanoro’s election to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities”, she said.

Before his election to the Committee, Dr. Nwanoro gave a hint on what his membership would mean for Nigeria and the disability community. In his own words; _“I have a lot of things I’m going to attract to Nigeria. The committee is where major decisions that concern PWDs globally are taken. We are going to look at the issue of assistive technology.

“We also have the issue of accessibility; for instance, some public buildings in Nigeria and Africa are inaccessible to PWDs. In the Western world, the transportation system is accessible for PWDs, and we would like to replicate this in Africa. So these are the things that I’m going to attract, and most importantly, the grants that will come to Nigeria and Africa are enormous”_ . (Segun Adeyemi, Pulse.ng, May 8, 2024).”

She said while Nigeria has made incremental progress in mitigating disability discrimination and exclusion, persons with disabilities continue to struggle through certain discriminatory barriers that limit their full participation in Nigerian society.

She said Dr. Nwanoro now has the honour and opportunity to deliver on his promises and make a considerable dent in influencing global and national policies aimed at institutionalising disability inclusion the world over, especially in Nigeria.