JONAPWD Demands N1 Trillion for Disability Support in Nigeria

The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) has appealed to the federal government for an allocation of at least N1 trillion to address the needs of physically-challenged Nigerians. This request was made during the Phase One Stakeholders’ Engagement and Collaboration Forum of the Rights in Action (RiA) Project, organized by JONAPWD in collaboration with Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and CBM Global in Abuja.

The forum, themed “From Advocacy to Action: Strengthening Stakeholders’ Commitments for the Rights, Inclusion and Meaningful Participation of Persons with Intellectual, Psychosocial and Deaf Disabilities,” featured remarks from JONAPWD national president Abdullah Usman, who stated that the current allocation of N500 billion is insufficient. He highlighted that the population of persons with disabilities exceeds that of many states.

Dr Bernard Doro, the minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, represented by Sunday Hezekiah, the ministry’s director of Special Needs, pledged support for JONAPWD and emphasized the government's commitment to improving the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.