EU, NHRC requires reforms to enforce disability rights …

The European Union (EU) has raised serious concerns about the inaccessibility of banking services to over 35,000 people with disabilities in the country.

Speaking in a consultative meeting and inauguration of the technical working group for the inclusion of disability for the implementation of the protocol to the African card on human rights and people and the right to the person with disabilities and discrimination against the person in Abuja on Monday, the EU representative during the meeting, Achu won he asked urgent reforms to remove obstacles to financial services.

Winfred, while highlighting the physical challenges that many people with disabilities face when they try to access Nigerian banks, including close and poorly designed entry that are particularly hostile for wheelchairs and mobility devices, said: “You can imagine how it is for people who are users of wheelchairs that are users of wheelchairs.

He observed that despite Nigeria, he approved a disability law aimed at improving accessibility and inclusiveness, awareness and implementation have remained low, even within government agencies.

He complained that: “Many are not even aware of the existence of this law or how it should be implemented”.

Achu, while explaining that Nigeria is the signatory of the African disability protocol, however it has added that the signature is not enough, the country must completely abdominate and apply the provisions of the protocol at all levels, including federal, state and in particular the community levels.

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The EU praised the participation of the main parties concerned, including the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Person with Disabilities (NCPWD), exhorting them to work together for a practical implementation at the basic level.

In his welcome speech, the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), dr. Tony Ojukwu insisted on the fact that there is an urgent need for concrete policies and programs to combat discrimination against people with disabilities in Nigeria.

Ojukwu welcomed representatives of ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), organizations of people with disabilities (OPD), development partners and civil society organizations.

He described the gathering as a testimony of the collective commitment to the guidance of inclusive policies in all sectors.

Ojukwu said: “In our shared research to advance the inclusion of disability, the NHRC, together with the National Commission for people with disabilities and other key interested parties – with strong support from Sightsavers – has witnessed the signing and ratification of the protocol to the African protocol on African paper and on the rights of the rights of people with people (ADP).”

The event also marked the formal institution of a technical group of disability inclusion, a multi-stakeholder platform created to implement the ADP and other related legislation. The initiative derives from the resolutions taken in a previous seminar held in October 2024, focused on the roles of the parties concerned in the implementation of discrimination against people with disabilities (prohibition), 2018 and the ADP protocol.

Ojukwu said: “This working group aligns with articles 33 and 34 of the protocol, ensuring full participation, development of the skills and the creation of mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the ADP”.

He said that the group would serve as a coordinated body for technical support, inclusive policies for traditional disabilities and would strengthen institutional ability towards full inclusiveness.

He also expressed a profound appreciation for individual visions for his unshakable support and commitment to the cause of the inclusion of disability, stating that their contributions were “tremendous on this trip”.

He said: “While we undertake this important job, we remain engaged as agents of change. Our shared vision is a society in which everyone, regardless of skills, have equal opportunities to contribute and be successful”.

Ojukwu has invited all interested parties to work together to transform the inclusion of disability a reality, committing the continuous commitment of the NHRC to promote, protect and apply the human rights of all Nigerians.

Previously, the executive secretary of the National Commission for people with disabilities (NCPWD), the head Ayuba Gufwan has noticed that in other companies the rights of people with disabilities are known and promoted by ordinary people and governments.
He asked for the full implementation of the 2018 disabilities (prohibition) and a more inclusive environment for the promotion, protection and application of human rights for everyone, regardless of the skills.

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