Reps Urge Govt To Implement Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to fully implement and enforce the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act of 2018, as the chamber joins the global community in marking the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by member representing Oshodi isolo ll Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi at plenary.

In his lead debate, he said persons with disabilities across Nigeria continue to face widespread exclusion, poverty, unequal access to employment, inadequate social protection and persistent discrimination despite existing legislation.

He warned that gaps in accessibility standards, employment quotas, transportation, education and healthcare undermine Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“The house is aware that today’s international day underscores the urgent global responsibility to integrate disability inclusion across all aspects of social, economic, cultural, and potential
political life in line with the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy 2025.

“The House is concerned that these challenges undermine the three core pillars of social development,
poverty eradication, productivity, employment and decent work, and social integration, which are interrelated and require a deliberate enabling environment to achieve a meaningful result.

“The House further is aware that Nigeria enacted discrimination against persons with disability prohibition act in 2018 by this House, which mandates equal opportunity, accessibility, employment rights, social protection, and establishment of a commission.
for this act.

“The House is equally worried that despite this act and the Commission, full implementation and enforcement remains weak, particularly in areas such as accessibility standards, employment quota, transportation system, inclusive education, health care assets, and effective sanctions for violation.

“The House is equally concerned
that Nigeria’s law for domestication of disability inclusive policy at federal, state and local government level undermined the country’s commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities and hampered progress towards achieving disability inclusion in our national development.

“The House will recall that the United Nations Secretary on the Sixth World Report 2025
on disability inclusion highlights the need for accelerated transformative action to sustain gains recorded between 2019 and 2024.”

“The House is equally aware that today’s commemorative event at the United Nations Headquarters provides a practical framework, tools and insights for member states to strengthen disability inclusion
and address emerging challenges

Contributing to the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu said a recent post-legislative scrutiny review revealed insufficient compliance with accessibility standards, employment quotas and workplace inclusion.

Mr Kalu warned that excluding persons with disabilities from the workforce amounts to economic sabotage arguing that Nigeria cannot grow its economy while shutting out capable professionals.

Adopting the motion, the House directed the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities to intensify monitoring, enforcement and public awareness, urging all ministries, departments and agencies to integrate disability-inclusive policies in line with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji