By Ayodele Oni
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the full implementation of the 2018 Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in the country.
In a statement to mark the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), the APC National Leader for Persons with Disabilities, Durotolu Bankole, called on all tiers of government to step up efforts toward disability inclusion, insisting that Nigeria cannot achieve real social progress while millions of persons with disabilities, (PWDs), remain excluded from essential services and opportunities.
Bankole said: “Inclusion is not charity, it is a fundamental human right. A nation that marginalises any segment of its population ultimately impoverishes itself.”
He noted that despite global progress and the UN-backed theme for this year — “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress” — Nigeria still faces significant gaps in accessibility, education, employment, transportation, and political representation.
According to him, “Rising unemployment, high costs of assistive devices, and attitudinal barriers continue to deepen vulnerability among persons with disabilities,” despite commendable government interventions, including expanded social protection programmes and educational support.
Bankole urged federal, state, and local governments to prioritise full implementation and domestication of the Disability Act, conduct accessibility audits of public facilities, develop a comprehensive 10-year National Disability Inclusion Strategy (2026–2035), and collaborate with the private sector to expand vocational training and dedicated employment opportunities for PWDs.
He added that political parties must strengthen disability directorates and enforce leadership quotas to deepen political inclusion.
Bankole also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for “renewed attention to disability issues” and acknowledged the efforts of First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu in supporting women and children with disabilities.
He stated that within the APC, the National Working Committee, (NWC) under Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has “set a benchmark” by institutionalising disability representation and allowing PWDs to occupy strategic party positions.
Bankole reaffirmed his personal commitment through the provision of grants, scholarships, mobility aids, medical support, and welfare packages for thousands of PWDs and their families, but stressed that “much more needs to be done to ensure no Nigerian is left behind.”
He added that inclusion must be treated as a national development priority, saying, “A nation that embraces full inclusion unlocks boundless innovation, productivity, and shared prosperity.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
 has called for the full implementation of the 2018 Discrimination Against Persons With){kind=link}