Momentum Builds as Nigeria Targets Inclusive Development
With barely weeks to go, excitement is building around the 2025 Nigeria National Disability Summit (NNDS), as major development partners rally behind the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in its drive to strengthen inclusion and participatory governance across Nigeria.
The two-day event, billed for October 29–30, 2025, in Abuja, will run under the theme “Inclusive Nigeria: Empowering Persons with Disabilities for Sustainable Development.”
The summit, organized by the NCPWD in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, has attracted strong support from the German and Swiss Governments, the European Union (EU) through GIZ Nigeria, International IDEA’s RoLAC Programme, and Sightsavers.
According to the Commission, the gathering will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, development agencies, the private sector, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to map out a new national direction for inclusion.
It will also spotlight Nigeria’s progress on commitments made at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) while developing actionable plans for inclusive education, employment, digital access, and governance.
The Executive Secretary, NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, said the summit represents a national call to action. “The National Disability Summit is a call for all stakeholders to come together and address the challenges that hinder full participation of persons with disabilities,” he said.
He noted that the Commission plans to make the summit a yearly national event to sustain momentum and accountability in disability inclusion.
Despite progress since the passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, implementation remains uneven with only 23 states domesticating the law and 15 establishing functional disability agencies.
A key highlight of the summit will be the launch of the National Forum of Disability Commissions and Agencies (NAFDCA), a platform to improve coordination amongst the federal and state disability bodies.
Backing the NCPWD’s efforts, Dr. Markus Wagner, Country Director of GIZ Nigeria, described inclusion as a matter of justice.
“This Summit is more than a meeting — it’s a vital step toward ensuring that persons with disabilities can actively participate in Nigeria’s development. Inclusion is not charity; it’s justice and opportunity,” he said.
Professor Joy Shuaibu, Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, said the theme reflects the group’s long-standing vision of equality. “The theme ‘Inclusive Nigeria’ is timely and aligns with our mission to ensure everyone, including persons with disabilities, can participate fully in all spheres of life,” she noted.
The International IDEA RoLAC Programme also reaffirmed its commitment to policy reforms that embed inclusion in governance systems. “The 2025 Summit offers a rare chance to turn promises into measurable action,” its Project Manager said.
The event will feature panel sessions, thematic workshops, and exhibitions showcasing innovations that promote accessibility, empowerment, and inclusion.
The 2025 National Disability Summit will hold at the Abuja Conference Centre, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
