Ogun Governor Abiodun: Implement Ogun Disability Law, Groups Demand

• JONAPWD and SCIAN have urged the Ogun State Government to fully implement the state's Disability Law, nearly nine years after its enactment.
• The Ogun State Disability Law was signed on December 27, 2017, by former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun but remains largely unoperationalized.
• Advocacy groups called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide political direction for implementation before his tenure ends in eight months.
• Non-implementation has practical consequences for over a million persons with disabilities in Ogun State across various life aspects.
• The groups emphasized a partnership approach, offering technical input and collaboration, but stressed that discussions on amendments should not delay current implementation.

A law designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities must transition from being merely a statute on paper to a law actively enforced.

Leading disability advocacy groups, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), have urgently called upon the Ogun State Government to fully implement the state's Disability Law. This demand was made during a joint press briefing held recently in Abeokuta, where representatives highlighted that nearly nine years have passed since the legislation was initially signed into law.

During the briefing at the NUJ Hall, Iwe Iroyin House, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, the groups specifically urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide the necessary political direction to finalize the implementation process. They emphasized the critical need for this to occur before the expiration of his current tenure, which is anticipated in eight months. The call underscores a persistent gap between legislative enactment and practical application, leaving persons with disabilities without the full benefits of the law.

The Ogun State Disability Law was formally signed into effect by former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun on December 27, 2017. Despite its passage, JONAPWD and SCIAN assert that the law has yet to be fully operationalized. This lack of operationalisation means that the legal framework has not translated into functioning institutions, enforceable protections, or accessible public systems, leaving persons with disabilities in Ogun State awaiting the realization of their rights.

Abdulwahab Matepo, National President of SCIAN, and Ayo Awobona, Chairman of JONAPWD's Ogun State chapter, jointly articulated the groups' position. They stressed that a law designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities must transition from being merely a statute on paper to a law actively enforced. The groups also noted that discussions regarding potential amendments to the law should not be permitted to indefinitely delay its implementation. Instead, they advocated for the existing law's operationalisation in accordance with applicable legal procedures, while any necessary amendments are pursued concurrently through the appropriate legislative channels. This approach, they believe, would allow the government and the disability community to address both implementation and potential improvements to the legal framework simultaneously.

The disability community has engaged extensively with the state government and other stakeholders since 2025, employing various methods including meetings, consultations, letters, courtesy visits, and media advocacy, all aimed at resolving issues surrounding the law's implementation. Despite these sustained efforts, no significant success has been recorded. The groups clarified that their campaign is not confrontational but rather an endeavor to ensure that commitments are translated into tangible actions.

Non-implementation of the Ogun State Disability Law 2017 carries significant practical consequences for persons with disabilities across crucial sectors, including education, healthcare, transportation, employment, economic participation, and political engagement. The advocates further called for the establishment of accessible public institutions and mechanisms designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and to monitor government obligations effectively. JONAPWD and SCIAN reiterated their stance as partners, not opponents, of the government, ready to offer technical input, participate in consultations, review proposed amendments, mobilize the disability community, and work constructively to achieve disability inclusion. They highlighted their demonstrated patience, having engaged legal experts and government officials, and undertaken public awareness activities, stressing that partnership must ultimately yield results.

The urgency for the Abiodun implement Ogun Disability Law initiative is underscored by significant demographic data. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 16 percent of the global population experiences a significant disability. Locally, a 2025 JONAPWD "Assumptive Data of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria" report estimated that 1,032,221 persons were living with disabilities in Ogun State. This figure is based on applying a 15 percent benchmark to the National Population Commission’s 2025 population projection, highlighting a substantial segment of the population whose rights and needs are directly impacted by the operationalisation of the Ogun State Disability Law 2017.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ogun State should closely monitor the push for the full implementation of the Ogun State Disability Law. Its operationalization will introduce new compliance requirements for businesses and public institutions regarding accessibility, employment, and services for persons with disabilities, potentially leading to new litigation risks or opportunities for legal advocacy.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper