JONAPWD: Demands ₦1 Trillion Annual PWD Budget Nigeria

• The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) urged President Bola Tinubu to allocate at least ₦1 trillion annually for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
• JONAPWD President Abdullahi Aliyu Usman justified the demand by citing the large population of persons with disabilities, which he noted exceeds that of some Nigerian states.
• The advocacy group also called for equal fundamental human rights for all categories of persons with disabilities, asserting their potential to influence national narratives.
• Mohammed Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President, highlighted the government's focus on inclusive budgeting and proper funding for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
• The Tinubu administration is reportedly committed to advancing disability inclusion through various programs and initiatives under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has put forward a significant demand to President Bola Tinubu, advocating for an annual allocation of at least ₦1 trillion dedicated to the welfare and advancement of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has put forward a significant demand to President Bola Tinubu, advocating for an annual allocation of at least ₦1 trillion dedicated to the welfare and advancement of persons with disabilities across Nigeria. This urgent plea, central to the JONAPWD ₦1 trillion annual PWD budget Nigeria campaign, was articulated by National President Abdullahi Aliyu Usman during a recent stakeholders' engagement forum held in Abuja. The event focused on the critical issues of rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation for individuals with intellectual, psychological, and hearing disabilities.

Usman underscored the sheer size of Nigeria's disability community as the primary justification for this substantial funding increase. He highlighted that the population of persons with disabilities in the country is considerable enough to warrant enhanced government financial commitment, noting that their numbers surpass those of several Nigerian states. The JONAPWD president explicitly dismissed a ₦500 billion allocation as insufficient, drawing a comparison to the budgets of some states that approach the ₦1 trillion mark, thereby reinforcing the scale of investment he believes is necessary for this demographic. He clarified that the term "persons with disabilities" encompasses a broad spectrum, including deaf, blind, and psychosocially disabled individuals, among others.

Beyond the financial demand, JONAPWD's advocacy extends to ensuring that all categories of persons with disabilities enjoy fundamental human rights on par with their non-disabled counterparts, irrespective of their specific conditions. This comprehensive Nigeria disability rights funding demand emphasizes equality and dignity as core tenets of their movement. Usman conveyed a powerful message to the Presidency, asserting that the collective population of persons with disabilities, often cited between 25 and 35 million, possesses the potential to significantly alter Nigeria's political and social landscape, provided they receive adequate governmental support.

This unified voice, as articulated by JONAPWD, aims to leverage the community's demographic strength to drive national narratives and policy direction. The association's stance reflects a commitment to collective action, emphasizing that their "party is disabled" and they embrace anyone who supports their cause. This aspect of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities advocacy highlights a strategic vision for empowerment that transcends mere welfare, aiming for active participation and influence in national development.

Responding to these calls, Mohammed Abba Isa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, affirmed the government's ongoing efforts to provide robust funding and support for persons with disabilities. Isa emphasized a shift towards "inclusive budgeting" rather than solely focusing on a lump sum, indicating that various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) already possess mandates to integrate disability-specific allocations into their financial plans. This approach aligns with the broader goal of President Tinubu disability inclusion budget initiatives.

Isa also highlighted the critical need for proper funding for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. He detailed the Commission's vital role, which includes implementing relevant legislation, collaborating with other agencies, acting as a watchdog, evaluating MDAs' performance against global standards, and reporting directly to the President. The presidential aide reiterated the Tinubu administration's full commitment to advancing disability inclusion, citing the incorporation of persons with disabilities into various government programs and social intervention initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro also playing a role in these efforts, underscoring the government's multi-faceted approach to National Commission for Persons with Disabilities funding and inclusive budgeting for PWDs Nigeria.

This article highlights a significant advocacy push for increased government funding and inclusive budgeting for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Lawyers advising NGOs, advocacy groups, or corporate clients on social responsibility and compliance should monitor these developments for potential future legislative or policy changes, and to understand the evolving landscape of disability rights enforcement and funding in Nigeria.

Source: Original reporting via Premium Times