ECOWAS Provides Assistive Devices to Nigeria for Inclusion

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has formally handed over assistive devices to Nigeria, marking the beginning of a broader strategy to enhance disability inclusion across the region. The initiative aims to expand access to assistive technology for children with disabilities in Nigeria, which is part of a nearly two-year plan alongside Togo.

During the handover ceremony in Abuja, Ayuba Gufwan, the Chief Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), described the event as one of the happiest moments of his life, emphasizing the importance of assistive devices in restoring dignity and enabling full participation in education, employment, and community life for persons with disabilities. Gufwan noted that approximately nine out of ten persons with disabilities require some form of assistive technology, yet many lack access, leaving millions excluded from education and employment opportunities.

The NCPWD plans to establish a dedicated unit to coordinate national efforts and improve service delivery, while also advocating for local manufacturing of assistive devices to reduce dependency on imports.