NCPWD and Trade Ministry Collaborate for PWD Inclusion

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have agreed to form a technical working committee aimed at integrating persons with disabilities (PWDs) into trade, investment, and entrepreneurship initiatives. This agreement was reached during a meeting in Abuja, where Ayuba Burki Gufwan, the executive secretary of NCPWD, represented by Lawrence Idemudia, the director of Social Integration, met with Jumoke Oduwole, the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Gufwan emphasized the importance of disability inclusion for economic development, stating that PWDs should not be excluded from Nigeria's trade and industrialization plans. The minister assured support for PWDs in ongoing programs, highlighting opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026.

The NCPWD also requested to showcase the creative talents of PWDs at CANEX WKND 2026 and proposed a national reality television talent hunt for them.