By Olusegun Ogunkayode
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for children and young adults with disabilities through a new partnership with the Empowering Abilities Through Inclusive Pages (EATIP) initiative.
The affirmation was further assured at a meeting held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Abuja, while the Commission was welcoming delegates from EATIP, a project supported by the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) in collaboration with the School for the Blind and Zamarr Institute, Jabi. The project is spearheaded by Praise Akobo, a disability advocate and Executive Director of YieldUp Development Initiative.
YieldUp Development Initiative focuses on bridging the gaps in discrimination and illiteracy amongst Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through education, creativity, advocacy, technology, and therapy (ECAT). The organisation also works to improve access to learning materials in schools to curb stigma and exclusion, in line with Nigeria’s Inclusive Education Policy and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
As part of its advocacy drive, YieldUp is introducing a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) aimed at strengthening capacity building for special needs teachers, a program that has already recorded success in Benue State and is now being extended to FCT.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Barr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, commended the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward tackling some of the persistent challenges facing the disability community.
“The task of pulling members of the disability community out of the shackles of deprivation, marginalisation, and discrimination is a collective responsibility,” Gufwan stated. “With over 35.5 million Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, it requires the active involvement and support of every citizen.”
The group also unveiled plans to launch a book titled “Awakening Possibilities in Disabilities”, pending the Commission’s approval. They requested the NCPWD’s technical support, particularly in the area of assistive devices and Braille printing to ensure the book’s accessibility to visually impaired readers.
Barr. Gufwan assured the team of the Commission’s readiness to provide the needed support to help them achieve their goals and called on Nigerians from all sectors to join efforts in making the nation “the most inclusive country in the world.”
The meeting climaxed with the formal presentation of a document titled “Abilities Through Inclusive Pages” to the Executive Secretary.
