UNESCO Urges Action for Disability Inclusion in Nigeria

UNESCO and various stakeholders in Nigeria's disability sector convened in Abuja to address critical gaps in disability data, policy implementation, institutional coordination, and financing. Dr Isaias Barreto da Rosa, UNESCO's Representative to Nigeria, emphasized that disability inclusion should be regarded as a significant development concern rather than merely a human rights issue.

He advocated for the integration of disability considerations into policies from the design stage and highlighted the importance of reliable data and active participation of persons with disabilities in policymaking. Khodéli Iraku, Chief of Section at UNESCO Headquarters, supported the notion that inclusive policies must be intentionally designed to ensure all societal segments benefit.

Both representatives urged stakeholders to produce actionable measures that translate policy commitments into tangible changes, reinforcing the principle of “nothing about us without us” to ensure legitimacy in policies affecting persons with disabilities.