Ahead of the Global Disability Summit (GDS) in Germany this April, the Albinism Association of Nigeria organized a workshop to finalize its demands for the Nigerian government.
The one-day hybrid validation meeting, which brought together marginalized groups, aimed to review draft commitment policy recommendations and identify effective advocacy strategies. Funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), the workshop was held in collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
The event sought to harmonize the demands of various disability clusters, including the intellectually disabled, little people, and the deaf and blind communities. Dr. Bisi Bamishe, National President of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, highlighted the importance of the summit as a platform to hold governments accountable.
“The Global Disability Summit is a venue where nations make critical commitments. We want our government to attend with specific pledges informed by the disability community, particularly marginalized groups such as the intellectually disabled, little people, the blind, and the deaf,” Dr. Bamishe stated.
She emphasized the importance of creating a unified front, saying, “We have brought these clusters together to articulate their challenges, priorities, and needs. These insights will shape the commitments presented by the umbrella body of the disability community in Nigeria, JONAPWD.”
Dr. Bamishe also acknowledged the involvement of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), which contributed to discussions on evaluation, implementation, monitoring, and other pertinent issues. She expressed optimism that the workshop would result in stronger government commitments to implementation.
“When we return from the summit, we plan to hold a press conference to announce the commitments made by our government. This public declaration will ensure accountability and provide a basis for enforcing these commitments,” she said.
Dr. Bamishe extended her gratitude to the Disability Rights Fund for their unwavering support, as well as key collaborators such as JONAPWD and NCPWD. She commended the resilience of marginalized groups, especially the albinism community, whose lived experiences drive advocacy efforts and inform strategies for meaningful change.
Advocacy for Government Intervention
Opeyemi Oladimeji, an Organizational Development Consultant for the Albinism Association of Nigeria, stressed the urgent need for government intervention to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
“We need to bring these issues to the forefront and make the government aware of how they can support persons with disabilities, particularly in the area of health. This is one of the primary reasons why these commitments are crucial,” Oladimeji stated.
He also highlighted other pressing concerns, including education, economic opportunities, and the persistent social stigmatization of persons with disabilities. Despite the existence of legal frameworks like the National Disability Act, Oladimeji expressed frustration over the lack of implementation.
“We have numerous laws and commitments, but they remain unfulfilled. Take the National Disability Act, for example; it contains excellent provisions to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. Yet, almost five years after its enactment, there has been little progress,” he explained.
At the state level, the situation is even more dire, with only about 15% of states domesticating the Act. Oladimeji called for collective action to address this gap and ensure nationwide implementation.
“If the federal government is lagging, state governments are even less prepared. We must hold them accountable,” he emphasized, adding, “This law is applicable nationwide, and it’s up to all of us to ensure it is fully implemented.”
