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Nigeria Situational Analysis
Version II - June 2020
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) has prepared Situational Analyses (SITANs) which
synthesise the most recent existing literature and evidence on factors that impact on the lives of
people with disabilities in each of the six UK Aid funded Disability Inclusive Development (DID)
countries to better inform the DID programme implementation in each country. For more
information about how the situational analyses were conducted see page 25.
This situational analysis addresses the question of: “what is the current situation for
persons with disabilities in Nigeria?”
DID operates in six countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal and Jordan
These SITANs can be used throughout the programme, by all those involved in it, in order to
better understand the current context and available evidence. This will help lead to better
informed projects within the different thematic areas and help with situating these different
projects within the wider country context. Where the Committee on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities has recommendations from the concluding observations on the country, these have
been integrated in relevant places to ensure that the UNCRPD is at the heart of the SITANs.
Where possible, the SITANs also flag up gaps in evidence which the DID programme may be
interested in addressing. As living documents they can be adapted to include newly published
evidence and to reflect any adaptions in areas of interest in the programme. The earliest version
of the SITAN was dated 12 April 2019 and reflected the context in each country before the
programme is implemented there, while the annual updated SITANs may begin to reflect what
has occurred during the programme implementation phase, which can support MEL efforts.
This paper has been funded with UK aid from the UK government. The opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the UK government or
members of the DID consortium
2
Contents page
1. SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION 3
Country facts and figures 3
National Policies 3
The situation for people with disabilities 5
2. COUNTRY OVERVIEW 10
3. NATIONAL POLICIES AND UNCRPD 11
4. THE SITUATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 15
Disability prevalence 15
Attitudes towards disability and disability stigma 16
Disability and poverty 17
Disability and livelihoods/work 17
Disability and social protection 19
Disability and education and training 20
Disability and transport/public accessibility 22
Disability and health 22
Access to assistive devices and assistance 23
Organisations supporting people with disabilities 23
Humanitarian situations 24
COVID 19 25
5. HOW THE SITANS WERE CONDUCTED 25
REFERENCES 26
ANNEX 1 - FEEDBACK AND COMMENTARY ON THE SITAN FROM
CONSORTIUM PARTNERS 32
3
1. Summary of key information
Country facts and figures
Nigeria is a country with 195.9 million people in West Africa. It is comprised of 36 autonomous
states. It has an abundance of resources including oil and gas. In 2019, Muhammadu Buhari won
the presidential election and was sworn in for a second term. While Nigeria has made some
progress in socio-economic terms in recent years, it continues to face massive developmental
challenges, which include the need to reduce the dependency on oil and diversify the economy,
address insufficient infrastructure, and build strong and effective institutions, as well as improve
governance and public financial management systems. Income inequality has been growing
rapidly and has adversely affected poverty reduction. Northern Nigeria continues to suffer from a
lack of economic development. This problem has been exacerbated by the Boko Haram
insurgency, which has resulted in people being displaced and increased insecurity.
Nigeria has a large youth population. The general population is split equally between those living
in urban and rural areas. Nigeria falls within the low human development categorisation
according to the UNDP. Gross national income (GNI) per capita was PPP $5,086 in 2011. Gross
domestic product (GDP) per capita was PPP $5,316. In 2020 the Nigerian economy was
severely hit by the impact of COVID-19 and the associated sharp decline in oil prices. The
expected years of schooling in Nigeria is 9.7. The adult literacy rate is 51.1 percent. The adult
mortality rate (per 1,000 people) is 328 for females and 368 for males. Public health expenditure
represents 3.6 percent of GDP.
National Policies
National Development Plans
Nigeria has had several development plans including the Colonial Development Plan (1958 to
68), National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) (2005), Nigeria
Vision 20:2020 (2009 to 2020), National Industrial Revolution Plan, the Nigeria Integrated
Infrastructure Master Plan (2015 to 2045), the Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan
(ERGP) (2017 to 2020).
The current ERGP is a medium term plan that aims to achieve sustained inclusive growth. Its
objectives are to achieve sustained inclusive growth to consolidate national cohesion and deliver
structural economic transformation. Under the plan efficiency in both public and private sectors
will be improved, national productivity increased and maximum welfare for the citizens achieved
through food and energy security.
The NIIMP aims to modernise Nigeria’s infrastructure by strengthening its linkages with the
national economy. It also includes a strategy to promote private sector participation in
infrastructure development and the strengthening of the relevant policy, legal and institutional
frameworks. Section 2.6.2 of NIIMP relates to ensuring accessibility for all, including those with
disabilities.
The Nigeria Vision 20:2020 plan aims for Nigeria to become one of the top 20 economies in the
world by 2020. Its objectives are to optimise resources to achieve rapid economic growth and
then to translate that growth into equitable social development for all citizens. These aspirations
are defined across social, economic, institutional and environmental dimensions. Vision 20:2020
4
was developed through a participatory process and persons with disabilities were included as
one of twelve Special Interest Groups invited to contribute.
UNCRPD and national disability policies
UNCRPD
Nigeria ratified the UNCRPD in September 2010. Nigeria is yet to submit a report to the UN on
the UNCRPD, due to lengthy national processes. In Nigeria, the Ministry of Women Affairs and
Social Development are responsible for disability inclusion. Nigeria is yet to domesticate the
convention. The lack of effective legislation and adequate administrative infrastructure is
reportedly limiting the impact of the UNCRPD in Nigeria.
National disability legislation
In January 2019, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2018) was
signed into law. It prohibits discriminating against people with a disability. The law lays out
penalties for non-compliance that can be levied at individuals or corporations. It also stipulates a
five-year transitional period after which public buildings and transport must be accessible. The
law will also establish a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, to oversee access to
housing, education, and healthcare for persons with disabilities. The new Act is regarded as a
first step towards the fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligations under the CRPD. In addition to the
national legislation, four of the 36 states in the country - Plateau, Ekiti, Lagos, and Bauchi - have
state level disability laws.
Employment and livelihood policies
Policies and programmes to enable persons with disabilities to gain employment in Nigeria are
limited. In Lagos State, Special People’s Law (Vol 5) Section 34 affirms the right of persons with
disability to work on equal basis with others, although compliance is thought to be low. The
Employee’s Compensation Act (2010) details compensation for any employment related injury or
disability. The Disabilities Act (2018) requires by law all public organisations to reserve at least
five per cent of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Social Protection policies
In Jigawa State a social security allowance of N7,000 ($46) per month is available to people with
physical disabilities, with an estimated 4,000 people benefiting. The programme is fully owned by
the state government and has no donor or civil society input. The selection process is
questionable. The Jigawa State social assistance programme is believed to be the only scheme
of its kind in Nigeria.
Nigeria is working on a national social protection policy which was approved by the Federal
Executive Council (FEC) in 2017.
Education policies
The status of the National Education Policy is not clear. However, a National Policy on Special
Needs Education was launched in 2015. It focuses on creating a least restrictive environment,
achieving zero rejections, and delivering the total inclusion and diversification of services beyond
the school target. The Federal Ministry of Education is moving away from Special Education
towards a broader focus on Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation Services.
5
The National Teacher Education Policy from 2014 includes an objective of ensuring that teachers
have the capacity to respond to learners with special needs. The policy also commits to
developing courses to produce teachers who are specialists in special needs education.
Under the new Disabilities Act (2018), access to education for persons with disability will be
ensured by a newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Health policies
Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was launched in 2005. One of its
programmes focuses on people with a permanent disability.
The Physically Challenged Persons Social Health Insurance Programme (PCPSHIP) is a social
health insurance programme. Membership can include persons with physical or intellectual
disabilities. Contributions to the programme come from the Federal/State/Local Governments,
development partners and civil society organisations.
A National Commission for Persons with Disabilities will be formed under the new Disabilities Act
(2018) and will take responsibility for ensuring that people with disabilities have access to
healthcare among other services.
The situation for people with disabilities
Disability prevalence
The 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey reported that 7 percent of the population
have some difficulty with regards to various domains of disability, and 1 percent have a lot of
difficulty or cannot function in at least one domain. Other estimates of disability prevalence vary
depending on the source and range from 2 percent to 10 percent. Prevalence rates are roughly
equal between males and females. The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities
(JONAPWD) estimate that there are over 25 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria, while
other estimates suggest the figure is only 3.3 million.
Attitudes towards disability and disability stigma
In Nigeria disability issues are often viewed through a charity or welfare lens, which has a
negative impact on social inclusion. Persons with disability often face pity and stigma.
Discrimination reduces access to many aspects of life including education, health and work.
Many discriminatory practices against persons with disabilities are entrenched and sustained by
religion and cultural beliefs. Women with disabilities may encounter more obstacles than men.
Children with disabilities may also face negative perceptions and resulting unfair treatment.
Disabilities are often believed to be related to curses; ancestral violations; offenses against gods
of the land; breaking laws and family sins; misfortune; witches and wizards; adultery; a warning
from the gods of the land; societal taboos; misdeed in a previous life; illegal or unapproved
marriage; evil spirits; and many others.
Disability and poverty
Half of the population of Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty and 32.3 percent live in severe
multidimensional poverty. The north of Nigeria has the highest poverty incidence. This is caused
by inadequate provision of health, education and other social services and the lack of industries.
6
People with disabilities in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by poverty. An estimated 9 out
of 10 people with disabilities in Nigeria live below the poverty line.
Disability and livelihoods/work
Barriers to employment
People with disabilities in Nigeria face physical as well as attitudinal barriers to employment.
Having a good education does not guarantee employment for people with disabilities. Negative
attitudes and misconceptions about capacity and productivity can act as barriers. The new
Disabilities Act (2018) addresses discrimination of persons with disabilities with regards to
employment, but it is not yet clear how this law will be enforced and how effective it will be.
Formal employment
Unemployment rates of youths were 77.3 percent for persons with disability compared to 49.2
percent for persons without disability. Unemployment rates of adults were 62.5 percent for
persons with disabilities compared to 21.5 percent for persons without disabilities. For both
youths and adults, male/female youth unemployment was equal for persons with disability, but
higher for females without disability compared to males without disability. 61 percent of youths
with disabilities are not in education, training or employment compared to 23 percent for persons
without disabilities. The proportion of people employed in informal sectors was 13 percent for
persons with a disability compared to 30 percent for persons without a disability. The proportion
of persons with disabilities in managerial roles is thought to be close to zero, compared to 0.9
percent for persons without disabilities.
The Nigerian Constitution states that all citizens should have the opportunity to work without
discrimination, although a loophole means that enforcement of this right is challenging. The
previous Nigerians with Disability Act (1993) addressed discrimination, training needs and
offered tax incentives to encourage employment of persons with disabilities. However, despite
the law, persons with disability have faced years of vulnerability to discrimination and
disadvantage in employment in Nigeria, experiencing unequal employment opportunities, limited
rights to work and low job security. Misconceptions about cost of reasonable adjustment and a
lack of capacity to perform tasks are barriers to persons with disabilities gaining formal
employment.
The lack of opportunities available for people with disabilities reduces employment participation.
Weak implementation and enforcement of legislation exacerbates the situation. Economic
empowerment of persons with disabilities remains low, despite desire to work and in
some cases high levels of education. Negative attitudes present barriers to people with
disabilities securing certain jobs. In some cases, people with disabilities are given certain jobs
due to misconceptions and stereotypes, regardless of skills and education. In some instances,
people with disabilities are employed as token gestures or quotas. Women with disabilities
encounter additional problems in finding employment due to the patriarchal society, prejudice
opinions about image, and level of education.
The Disabilities Act (2018) requires by law all public organisations to reserve at least five per
cent of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is not yet clear how effective the
law will be in increasing formal employment for persons with disabilities.
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Disability and social protection
Nigerians with health insurance provided by social security is 1.4 percent for persons with
disabilities (2.9 percent for females, 0 percent for males), compared to 2.4 percent for persons
without disabilities (1.7 percent for females, 3.1 percent for males). Since 1993, the Nigeria
Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has delivered disability benefits and since 2002 a pension
benefit. Few state governments provide income support for older people and persons with
disabilities. The Jigawa State Government runs the only official social assistance programme for
persons with disabilities in Nigeria, although the selection process is not transparent. Adamawa
State Universal Basic Education Board has a feeding programme for pupils with disabilities. In
general there social protection for people with disabilities in Nigeria is regarded as ineffective,
despite multiple programmes being funded and implemented across the country by numerous
donors, non-government organisations, and agencies. In general, social protection programmes
are uncoordinated, fragmented and inefficient.
Disability and education and training
The participation rate in education is 12 percent for children with disabilities, compared to 57
percent for those without disabilities. The participation rate of youths in education/training is 25
percent for those with disabilities, compared to 55 percent for those without disabilities. The
participation rate of adults in education/training was 0.5 percent for persons with disabilities
compared to 4.5 percent for persons without disabilities. Literacy rates for youths is 36 percent
for persons with disabilities, compared to 64 percent for persons without disabilities. Primary
school completion rates are reported as 100 percent for all children with disabilities in Nigeria
(which seems very high) compared to 78 percent for all children without disabilities. Secondary
school completion rates are 40 percent for children with disabilities compared to 56 percent for
children without disabilities. The disability inclusion umbrella organisation JONAPWD estimate
that 90 percent of children with disabilities are out of school in Nigeria.
Very little has been done with regards to educating persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Despite
guarantees provided by the Constitution, legal loopholes have resulted in a lack of enforcement.
is arranged limits the authority of the judiciary meaning that the Nigerian government cannot be
compelled to carry out the duties with regards education in the Constitution. The only way of
enforcing provisions is through judicial activism. Nigerians with Disability Act (1993) promised
equal and adequate education for all persons with disabilities and the Disabilities Act (2018) also
guarantees equitable access to education. The previous law failed to deliver and it is too early to
assess the impact of the new law. One positive example of an intervention is a CBM project
called ‘Services for people with disabilities’ supports about 100 persons a year in through training
and other services.
Barriers to education for persons with disabilities include funding as well as a failure to access
funding when it is available; negative attitudes; lack of accessible infrastructure and long and
difficult journeys to school; lack of clear and supportive policies and legislation; lack of support
services; poverty and school fees; inadequate deployment of trained professionals and various
bureaucratic obstacles.
The 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report found that in Nigeria, there is limited use of
assistive hardware (e.g. large key keyboards, mouse alternatives) and software (e.g. screen
readers, magnifiers, print-to-Braille converters, Braille-to-speech synthesizers, speech-to-text
converters, memory/ organization devices, voice-over on devices). Where assistive technology
was being used, it was mainly people with hearing impaired and people with learning disabilities
who used it. Power supply hampered the use of available devices (UNESCO 2020).
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Further and higher education
University completion rates in Nigeria were 4.5 percent for persons with disabilities (0 percent for
females, 7.1 percent for males) compared to 9.1 percent for persons without disabilities (6.1
percent for females, 12 percent for males). Higher education facilities are in general not
accessible. Stigma also reduce access, with the attitudes of teachers and school administrators
being a concern.
There are some examples of interventions in this area. In 2018 the Industrial Training Fund
launched the Skills Training and Empowerment Programme for the Physically Challenged
(STEPP-C) which involved 120 persons. UNDP has been working with the Anambra State
Government to implement the Special Target Enterprises Development and Monitor
Initiative, which aims to develop the vocational skills of persons with disabilities in shoe
making, tailoring, hair dressing and computer application/management. It is not clear how
effective these initiatives have been. Although many persons with disabilities in Nigeria
have benefiting from similar programmes to develop skills, many discontinue the application of
what they have learnt.
Disability and transport/public accessibility
People with disabilities in Nigeria face poor and inadequate access to transport. Findings from
one study suggests that 80 percent of people with disabilities are reliant on public transport.
Road environment and vehicle design pose mobility challenges. As well as improving
infrastructure, transport staff need disability awareness training. Most public buildings in Nigeria
are not accessible to persons with disabilities. Under the Discrimination Against Persons with
Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2018) there will be a five-year transitional period to address these
accessibility shortcomings. New buildings must be accessible or they will not be approved.
Planning officers can face prosecution for failing to implement the new law.
Disability and health
Inclusive health is known to be poor in Nigeria, both in terms of service and policy provision. 97
percent of the Nigerian population have no health insurance. The majority of people with
disabilities receive rehabilitation from families, friends and, in a few cases, by governmental
agencies.
Access to assistive devices and assistance
The majority of education institutions in Nigeria do not have required assistive technologies for
students with disabilities. Assistive technologies are not being utilised adequately in Nigeria. Cost
is thought to be prohibitive to accessing assistive technology.
Organisations supporting people with disabilities
Nigeria has many organisations of people with disabilities operating at all levels, but the majority
adopt a charity/welfare approach to disability issues, as opposed to a rights or social based
approach. This has undermined advocacy efforts and led to confusion with regards to
representation. Also, many of the organisations of people with disabilities organisations of people
with disabilities only cater for the needs of single impairment groups. Organisations of people
with disabilities in Nigeria have been criticised for being charity/welfare organisations with a focus
on immediate financial gratification. Few organisations of people with disabilities exist in the
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northern parts of the country and those that do are regarded as ineffective and have
questionable governance.
There are two competing national organisations of people with disabilities in Nigeria - the Joint
National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAWPD), and the Association for the
Comprehensive Empowerment of Nigerians with Disabilities (ASCEND). JONAPWD is
recognised as the official conduit between the Nigerian government and persons with disabilities
in order to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. However, there are concerns over the
capacity of JONAPWD, the lack of strategic direction and a lack of transparency. ASCEND
started as a grassroots movement and has socio-political roots. The rivalry between the two has
detracted from the need to address deep-seated institutional and attitudinal barriers. International
NGOs focusing on the delivery of services to people with disabilities do exist, but their
geographical coverage is limited. The vast majority of people with disabilities have no access to
disability services. The situation is worse for those living in rural areas. The Coalition of Disability
Organisations (CODO) is another umbrella organisation for persons with disability. CODO in the
past has been active in supporting industrial action lead by labour unions.
Humanitarian situations
Interventions by government, security and civil society actors during times of disruption are
criticised for not taking the needs of women and girls with disabilities into account. Often in
humanitarian situations in Nigeria, services are not made accessible to persons with disability
and they are not included in designing or implementing polices and programmes. Post-election
violence in 2011 and the Boko Haram crisis in the north led to resettlement of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) in a camp in Kaduna. Many of the IDPs experienced trauma and mental health
problems including depression. In addition, a strong correlation is known to exist between having
a disability and having depression.
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Main report
2. Country overview
Nigeria is a federation of 36 autonomous states in West Africa. It is home to a multi-ethnic and
culturally diverse society. Nigeria has an abundance of resources. It is Africa’s biggest oil
exporter and has Africa’s largest natural gas reserves (World Bank 2020). In 2019 Nigeria held
national elections for the sixth consecutive time since its return to democracy in 1999. The
incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari won and was sworn in for a second term in May 2019.
Fighting corruption, increasing security, tackling unemployment, diversifying the economy,
enhancing climate resilience, and boosting the living standards of Nigerians are his main policy
priorities. Nigeria’s federated structure gives significant autonomy to states (World Bank 2020).
While Nigeria has made some progress in socio-economic terms in recent years, its human
capital development remains weak due to under-investment. Furthermore, the country continues
to face massive developmental challenges, which include the need to reduce the dependency on
oil and diversify the economy, address insufficient infrastructure, and build strong and effective
institutions, as well as governance issues and public financial management systems. Inequality
in terms of income and opportunities has been growing rapidly and has adversely affected
poverty reduction. The North-South divide has widened in recent years due to the Boko Haram
insurgency and a lack of economic development in the northern part of the country (World Bank
2020).
Although stability has improved in Nigeria, Boko Haram remains a threat in the northeast. Due to
the threat of violence, millions of persons have been displaced and therefore require assistance.
In the northeast region there has been destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives and
impoverishment due to the instability (ILO 2016). Large pockets of Nigeria’s population still live in
poverty, without adequate access to basic services, and could benefit from more inclusive
development policies. The lack of job opportunities is at the core of the high poverty levels, of
regional inequality, and of social and political unrest in the country (World Bank 2020).
Nigeria has a population of 195.9 million people (UNDP 2020). It has one of the largest
populations of youth in the world (World Bank 2020). The population is split equally between
those living in urban and rural areas. There are 104.6 million people of working age (15–64 years
old) and 5.4 million people aged 65 years and older. In 2019, Nigeria had a Human Development
Index score of 0.534, giving it the rank of 158 out of 188 countries. It falls within the low human
development categorisation (UNDP 2020).
Gross national income (GNI) per capita was reported to be PPP $5,086 in 2011. Gross domestic
product (GDP) per capita was PPP $5,316. In terms of income inequality, the Gini coefficient is
43.0. The expected years of schooling in Nigeria is 9.7 and the adult literacy rate for those aged
15 and older is 51.1 percent. The gross enrolment ratio in primary education as a percentage of
the primary school-age population is 85 percent, while the ratio for enrolment in secondary
education is 42 percent. In terms of health, life expectancy at birth is 54.3 years. The adult
mortality rate (per 1,000 people) is 328 for females and 368 for males. Public health expenditure
represents 3.6 percent of GDP. Stunting (moderate or severe) for those aged under 5 is 43.6
percent. The under-five mortality rate is 100.2 per 1,000 live births (UNDP 2020).
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COVID 19
The Nigerian economy has been severely hit by the spread of COVID-19 and the associated
sharp decline in oil prices (IMF 2020). Low oil prices, limited fiscal space, and rising national debt
are factors that will aggravate the economic impact of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Government
spending has increased and tax has been cut for businesses. The public budget increased from
8.83 trillion naira ($24.53 billion) in 2019 to 10.59 trillion naira ($29.42 billion) in 2020,
representing 11 percent of the national GDP, while small businesses have been exempted from
company income tax, and the tax rate for medium-sized businesses has been revised
downwards from 30 to 20 percent. COVID-19 has caused all components of aggregate demand,
except for government purchases, to fall. Fall in household consumption stems from restrictions
on movement, low expectations of future income, and the erosion of wealth and expected wealth
as a result of the decline in assets such as stocks and home equity. Nigeria has a burgeoning gig
economy as well as a large informal sector, which contributes 65 percent of its economic output.
Movement restrictions have reduced the consumption of commodities, and affected people’s
income-generating capacity, reducing their consumption expenditure (Onyekwena and Ekeruche
2020).
3. National Policies
National Development Plans
Nigeria has had several development plans over the years, starting with the Colonial
Development Plan which was implemented from 1958 to 68. Major strategic initiatives, including
the Structural Adjustment Programme; the National Economic Empowerment and Development
Strategy; the Strategy for Attaining the Millennium Development Goals; and the 7-Point Agenda,
were not seen to have been effectively implemented (Commonwealth Governance 2018).
The Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) (2017-2020) aims to achieve
sustained inclusive growth (MBNP 2017). It is a Medium Term Plan that aims to restore
economic growth while leveraging the ingenuity and resilience of the Nigerian people. Nigeria
entered a recession in the second quarter of 2016. The ERGP was developed to tackle the
causes of the recession and ultimately change the national economic trajectory. The ERGP
builds on existing strategies and plans such as the National Industrial Revolution Plan, and the
Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan. The main elements or objectives of the ERGP
include sustained inclusive growth to consolidate national cohesion; a structural economic
transformation; improving efficiency in both public and private sector; increasing national
productivity; achieving sustainable diversification of production; to significantly grow the economy
and achieving maximum welfare for the citizens by ensuring food and energy security (State
House 2018).
The National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) was published in 2015. Its aim is to
boost and modernise Nigeria’s infrastructure over a 30 year period. The objectives of NIIMP are
to adopt a coordinated approach to infrastructure development; to strengthen the linkages
between components in the infrastructure sector and the national economy; to preview, upgrade
and harmonise existing sub-sector master plans and strategies in the infrastructure sector, to
ensure consistency with national development aspirations; to prioritise projects and programmes
for implementation in the short to medium term; to promote private sector participation in
infrastructure development; to strengthen the policy, legal and institutional frameworks for
effective infrastructure development; and to enhance the performance and efficiency of the
economy. Section 2.6.2 of the plan relates to ensuring accessibility for all. It states that
12
infrastructure development must take into account accessibility for all citizens, particularly those
with disabilities. With the right infrastructure, people with disabilities can exercise basic activities
for daily living, including going to work (NPC 2015).
The National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) was Nigeria’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy. It was published in 2005. It aimed to support agriculture, industry,
small and medium-scale enterprises, and oil and gas. Under the plan, the government will seek
long-term capital for investment. Trade policy will be modified to unburden business of the red
tape and complex procedures that hinder it from flourishing. It envisages forging stronger links
between educational institutions and industry to stimulate rapid industrial growth and efficient
exploitation of resources. NEEDS commits to implementing laws and programmes to empower
persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups. Among other commitments, NEEDS
states that the Nigerian government shall direct policy towards ensuring that a reasonable
national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits, and
welfare of the people with disabilities are provided for all citizens (NPC 2004).
The Nigeria Vision 20:2020 aims for Nigeria to become one of the top 20 economies in the world
by 2020. It was launched in 2009. Its vision is that by 2020, Nigeria will have a large, strong
diversified, sustainable and competitive economy that effectively harnesses the talents and
energies of its people and responsibly exploits its natural endowments to guarantee a high
standard of living and quality of life to its citizens. It has two broad objectives 1) Optimise human
and natural resources to achieve rapid economic growth; 2) Translate that growth into equitable
social development for all citizens. These aspirations are defined across four dimensions:
• Social Dimension - A peaceful, equitable, harmonious and just society, where every
citizen has a strong sense of national identity and citizens are supported by an
educational and healthcare system that caters for all, and sustains a life expectancy of
not less than 70 years.
• Economic Dimension - A globally competitive economy that is resilient and diversified
with a globally competitive manufacturing sector that is tightly integrated and contributes
no less than 25 percent to Gross Domestic product
• Institutional Dimension - A stable and functional democracy where the rights of the
citizens to determine their leaders are guaranteed, and adequate infrastructure exists to
support a market-friendly and globally competitive business environment.
• Environmental Dimension - A level of environmental consciousness that enables and
supports sustainable management of the nation’s God-given natural endowments to
ensure their preservation for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Vision 20:2020 plan was developed through a process that involved active participation and
input from a broad spectrum of Nigerians. Persons with Disabilities were included as one of
twelve Special Interest Groups (SIGs) who worked with Stakeholder Development Committees
(SDCs) to ensure any specific needs, approaches or views were considered (NPC 2009).
UNCRPD and national disability policies
UNCRPD
Nigeria signed the UNCRPD on 30 March 2007. It was ratified on 24 September 2010 (UN
2018). Article 35 of the UNCRPD requires that State Parties submit reports on how the rights of
people with disabilities are being implemented within their country. States must first report within
two years of ratifying the Convention, and then every four years after that. Nigeria is yet to submit
13
a report on the UNCRPD. According to Umeh and Adeola (2013), the Ministry of Women Affairs
and Social Development are responsible for the UNCRPD reporting. The delay in the completion
of the initial report is caused by lengthy national processes.
Organisations of people with disabilities are aware of the importance of the UNCRPD, but without
effective disability legislation or adequate administrative infrastructure for its implementation, it is
unlikely that the political ramifications of the UNCRPD will have any impact within Nigeria for the
foreseeable future (Lang et al 2011). Despite Nigeria signing and ratifying the UNCRPD, the
country has not yet domesticated the Convention (CBM 2018). In 2012 the Trade Union
Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State chairman, Chika Onuegbu, called for domestication of
the UNCRPD in Nigeria (Tide 2012).
National disability legislation
By 2016, four of the 36 states in the country - Plateau, Ekiti, Lagos, and Bauchi had enacted
disability laws that aimed at removing discrimination and obstacles to accessing services by
individuals with disabilities in these states (Eleweke and Ebenso 2016). In December 2018, Kabir
(2018) writing in the New Telegraph, reported that the Kano State Governor had signed into law
the state’s Disability Bill. Writing in the Guardian, Onyekwere, Olatuji and Afolabi (2018) state
that the Ekiti State Chapter of JONAPWD has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign
the Disability Bill into law.
After 9 years of advocacy by disability rights groups and activists, on January 23 2019, President
Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities
(Prohibition) Act, 2018. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and imposes
sanctions including fines and prison sentences on those who contravene it. It also stipulates a
five-year transitional period for modifying public buildings, structures, and automobiles to make
them accessible and usable for people with disabilities. The law will also establish a National
Commission for Persons with Disabilities, responsible for ensuring that people with disabilities
have access to housing, education, and healthcare. The Commission will be empowered to
receive complaints of rights violations and support victims to seek legal redress amongst other
duties. The enactment of the Act is only a first step in the fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligations under
the CRPD. Authorities must now put effective measures in place for its full implementation to
ensure equal treatment and participation of people with disabilities across Nigeria (Ewang 2019).
Writing in the Premium Times, Iroanusi (2019) reports that if an individual is found violating the
new law through discriminating on the grounds of disability, they will pay a fine of N100,000 or a
term of six months imprisonment. The law imposes a fine of one million naira on corporate
bodies. The Act gives citizens with disabilities the right to file a lawsuit for damage against any
defaulter.
Arimoro (2019) argues that Nigeria is yet to fully implement the appropriate measures required to
achieve the objective of protecting people with disabilities. Successive administrations since the
return to civil administration in the country in 1999 have not fulfilled the mandate in the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) dealing with disability rights. While
signing DAPDPA into law is commendable, Arimoro (2019) argues that it only reflects the
pressure on the Government by disability rights advocates and people with disabilities. More
must be done by the Government to achieve inclusivity of people with disabilities.
14
Employment and livelihood policies
The Disabilities Act (2018) requires by law all public organisations to reserve at least five per
cent of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (Iroanusi 2019). Apart from this, the
number of policies or programmes to enable persons with disabilities to gain full or even part time
employment in Nigeria are limited (Umeh and Adeola 2013). In Lagos State, Special People’s
Law (Vol 5) Section 34 focuses on a right to work and employment, affirming the right of persons
with disability to work on equal basis with others (LSHA 2010 p.10). The Guardian (2018) reports
that compliance of the law is low (Guardian 2018). The Employee’s Compensation Act (2010)
lays out provisions for compensations for any death, injury, disease or disability arising out of or
in the course of employment (FRN 2010).
Social Protection policies
To address the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Nigeria, the Minister of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq
stated in April 2020, that a Special Assistant would be immediately appointed to coordinate and
liaise with people with disabilities in Nigeria to improve their welfare, in line with the Ministry’s
mandate (Iyorkegh 2020).
In Jigawa State, the governor has initiated a social security allowance (cash transfer) consisting
of a monthly payment of N7,000 ($46) to people with physical disabilities (Holmes et al 2012).
150 persons with disability from each of the 27 local governments within Jigawa receive the
payments. As of 2015 N28,539,000 has been paid to the beneficiaries. The programme is fully
owned by the state government and has no donor or civil society input. Selection is found to be
largely based on patron– client relationship and luck as there are no criteria developed for the
selection process (Aiyede et al 2015). As of 2017, the Jigawa State Government social
assistance programme for persons with disabilities remained the only scheme of its kind in
Nigeria (Aiyede et al 2017).
Aiyede et al (2015) state that as of 2015 Nigeria was in the process of developing its national
social protection policy. A draft document prepared in 2014 drew on the Constitution and Vision
20:2020, as well as Nigeria's commitment to various international conventions including the
African Union Social Policy Framework for inspiration. It conceives social protection as
imperative to the reduction of poverty and protection of vulnerable groups from shocks that may
arise from social insecurity and vulnerabilities caused by disabilities, accidents and disasters.
According to a story in Vanguard (2017), on 19 July 2017 the Federal Executive Council (FEC)
approved the National Social Protection Policy.
Education policies
The status of the National Education Policy is not clear. However, the National Policy on Special
Needs Education in Nigeria was launched in 2015. It lays emphasis on creating a least restrictive
environment, achieving zero rejections, and delivering the total inclusion and diversification of
services beyond the school target. The Federal Ministry of Education is moving away from
Special Education towards a broader focus on Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation
Services. This involves adopting a paradigm shift to maximise the potential of each person with a
disability. The aim of the policy is to ensure persons with disabilities are provided equal
opportunities, equity and have access in a barrier free environment. The policy reaffirms that the
Federal Ministry of Education has the responsibility of coordinating Special Needs Education in
Nigeria (FME 2015).
15
The goal of the National Teacher Education Policy from 2014 is to promote quality education at
all levels of the system by transforming the image, self-concept and social recognition of
teachers. The policy aims to achieve this by improving the standards of recruitment into the
teaching profession, by the development of world standard initial teacher education programmes,
by institutionalising systematic career long professional development of all teachers. One of the
objectives (7.3 iv) of the policy is to ensure that teachers have sufficient mastery of academic
content disciplines and of pedagogy principles and their applications, including enhanced
capacity to respond to learners with special needs. The policy also commits to developing
courses to produce teachers who are specialists in special needs education (FME 2014).
Under the new Disabilities Act (2018), access to education for persons with disability will be
ensured by a newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (Ewang 2019).
Health policies
Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established in 1999 but not officially
launched until 2005. It has several main social health insurance programmes, one focused on
people with a permanent disability (Holmes et al 2012).
The Physically Challenged Persons Social Health Insurance Programme (PCPSHIP) is a
Vulnerable Group Social Health Insurance Programme designed to provide health care services
to persons who due to their physical status (including age) cannot engage in any meaningful
economic activity. Membership of PCPSHIP can include persons with physical or intellectual
disabilities. Contributions come from The Federal/State/Local Governments, development
partners and civil society organisations, who pay contributions in advance into the Vulnerable
Group Fund (NHIS 2018).
Under the new Disabilities Act (2018) a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities will be
established that will take responsibility for ensuring that people with disabilities have access to
healthcare among other services (Ewang 2019).
4. The situation for people with disabilities
Disability prevalence
The 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey included questions about six domains of
disability—seeing, hearing, communicating, remembering or concentrating, walking or climbing
steps, and washing all over or dressing—among the household population age five and above.
Overall, 92 percent of the household population have no difficulty in any domain; while 7 percent
have some difficulty and 1 percent have a lot of difficulty or cannot function in at least one
domain. Among adults age 15 and older, 2 percent of women and 2 percent of men have a lot of
difficulty or cannot function in at least one domain (NPC Nigeria & ICF 2019). Other estimates of
disability prevalence vary depending on the source. JONAPWD estimate that there are over 25
million persons with disabilities in Nigeria (JONAPWD 2017). According to Haruna (2017), the
disability prevalence rate in Nigeria is 10 percent. Leonard Cheshire’s (2018) disability data
review reported that based on a general household survey, the prevalence of disability in Nigeria
was 2.0 percent (2.0 for females and 2.1 percent for males) in 2012/13. According to Khan et al
(2018), there are an estimated 3.3 million people with disabilities in Nigeria, with a disability
prevalence rate of 2.3 percent. As a result of the insurgency in the North-East, this region has the
highest number of people with disability in the country (Uduu 2020).
16
Attitudes towards disability and disability stigma
People with disabilities are still often discriminated against in Nigeria. Much of the discrimination
stems from the negative public perceptions due to misinformed cultural beliefs (Uduu 2020).
Within Nigerian society, the common perception is that disability issues are viewed in terms of
charity and welfare. This entrenched view has a negative impact on the social inclusion of people
with disabilities within the country (Lang & Upah 2008). For example, the media in Nigeria still
address disability issues as a charity issue rather than a public policy concern, which perpetuates
discrimination (Uduu 2020). Persons with disability are often regarded as people to be pitied
rather than as people who can contribute to the development of Nigeria. As a result of stigma,
people with disabilities may lack access to education, rehabilitation and employment. They are
not adequately protected by implementation of legislation. Even when they have been educated
or rehabilitated and meet the necessary requirements for employment, they are often denied
employment on the basis of their disability. Consequently, many people with disabilities resort to
depending on their family or charities for assistance to sustain themselves as they have no
source of income for their livelihood (Ofuani 2011).
A study in Rivers State reported that people with disabilities who do get work experience
negative societal perceptions being expressed towards them within the workplace. The majority
of people with disabilities experienced cases of humiliation at work due to their disability
(Ihedioha 2015). Eleweke and Ebenso (2016) found that even educated people with disabilities
may struggle to secure a job in Nigeria due to people’s negative attitudes toward those with
disabilities. Their study reported that the participants were unanimous that women with
disabilities encounter more obstacles that could be attributed to gender inequalities in Nigeria.
Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV) and
abuse (Jerry et al 2015).
Etieyibo & Omiegbe (2016) argue that there a paucity of evidence from Nigeria that focuses on
disability and the role that religion, culture and beliefs play in sustaining discriminatory practices
against persons with disabilities. Many exclusionary practices are either embedded in or
sustained by religion, culture and beliefs about disability. Persons with disabilities are the victims
of various discriminatory including the trafficking and killing of people with mental illness,
oculocutaneous albinism and angular kyphosis, raping of women with mental illness and the
employment of children with disabilities for alms-begging. Etieyibo & Omiegbe (2016) argue that
the Nigerian government needs to introduce legislation that targets cultural and religious
practices which are discriminatory against persons with disabilities as well as protecting the
interests of persons with disabilities. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities
(Prohibition) Act (2018) does make discrimination of persons with disabilities illegal, but it is not
yet clear how this law will be enforced and how effective it will be.
Eskay et al (2012) report that in Nigerian society, children with disabilities have been incorrectly
understood, and this misunderstanding has led to their negative perception and treatment.
Overcoming negative attitudes and misunderstandings about disability were the basic problems
affecting children with disabilities. Public education programmes and information dissemination
have been undertaken to try and address this challenge. There are several beliefs for the
negative attitudes revolving around children with disabilities in Nigeria. These beliefs cut across
the Nigerian society and hence have a similar impact on the citizens’ attitudes on learners with
disabilities. Negative perceptions about children with disabilities in Nigeria were found to be
related to a curse from God (due to gross disobedience to God’s commandments); ancestral
violation of societal norms (e.g., due to stealing); offenses against gods of the land (e.g., fighting
within the society); breaking laws and family sins (e.g., stealing and denying); misfortune (e.g.,
due to marriage incest); witches and wizards (e.g., society saw them as witches and wizards);
17
adultery (a major abomination); a warning from the gods of the land (due to pollution of water and
the land); arguing and fighting with the elders (a societal taboo); misdeed in a previous life (such
as stealing); illegal or unapproved marriage by the societal elders (arguing and fighting against
the elderly advice in marriage); possession by evil spirits (due to gross societal disobedience);
and many others (Eskay et al 2012). With regards to attitudes towards children with disabilities,
one study reported that in general attitudes of students without disabilities were positive. Being
female and having interpersonal contact was associated with positive attitudes (Olaleye et al
2012).
Some efforts have been made to tackle disability stigma in Nigeria. An intervention in Nigeria in
2016 involved showing participants a film designed to increase awareness of intellectual
disability and its causes, and to challenge common stigmatising beliefs. The films provided
factual information about intellectual disabilities as well as first-hand accounts of the lives of
people with intellectual disabilities. The intervention was shown to result in positive changes in
attitudes (Odukoya and Chenge 2017).
Disability and poverty
Just over half of the population of Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty and 32.3 percent live in
severe multidimensional poverty. 53.5 percent of the population live below the income poverty
line (PPP $1.90 a day). 69.1 percent of those employed are considered to be working poor
(earning PPP $3.10 a day or less) (UNDP 2020). Sowunmi et al (2012) reported a low poverty
incidence in the southern part of Nigeria which ranges from 8.1 to 36.9 percent. In the north
central, the poverty incidence ranges from 55.4 to 78.1 percent. The core north (which comprises
of northwest and northeast) has the highest poverty incidence ranging from 78.4 percent in
Zamfara central to 97.7 percent in Jigawa northeast. The average poverty rate in the southeast is
the lowest (29.9 percent), while average poverty rates of south and southwest are 39.8 percent
and 37.9 percent respectively. The northwest geopolitical zone has the highest average poverty
rate (77.6 percent); this is followed by northeast (74.5 percent) and north central (68.1 percent).
The high average poverty rates in the northern geopolitical zones may be attributed to long-
standing lags in provision of health, education and other social services resulting in
proportionately more poor people in the north. The southern zone has most of the industries and
many export crops while the northern zone is largely rural and agricultural with a fragile agro-
climatic environment and a different socioeconomic history.
In Nigeria, many people with disabilities struggle to emerge from poverty as employment
opportunities are limited (Ofuani 2011). An estimate by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal
Studies suggests that 9 out of 10 persons with disabilities in Nigeria live below the poverty line
(NIALS 2010, Haruna 2017).
Disability and livelihoods/work
Barriers to employment
Ofuani (2011) reports a lack of enabling legislation to promote employment opportunities in
Nigeria. There is also weak implementation and enforcement measures if legislation is in place.
Physical as well as attitudinal barriers exclude full and enjoyable participation in the workplace. In
addition, people with disabilities are sometimes employed as token gestures or to fill quotas
(Eleweke and Ebenso 2016). Having a good education does not overcome discrimination for
many people with disabilities. Many employers are concerned about productivity and influenced
by negative stereotyping (Ofuani 2011).
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Formal employment
In terms of employment data, Leonard Cheshire (2018) reported that unemployment rates of
youths (15-25 years old) in Nigeria were 77.3 percent for persons with disability (77.8 percent for
females, 76.9 percent for males) compared to 49.2 percent for persons without disability (56.8
percent for females, 41.8 percent for males). Unemployment rates of adults who are 25-64 years
old were found to be 62.5 percent for persons with disabilities (61.5 percent for females, 63.4
percent for males) compared to 21.5 percent for persons without disabilities (28.6 percent for
females, 12.1 percent for males). Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 year) not in education, training
or employment are 61 percent for persons with disabilities (64 percent for females, 59 percent for
males) compared to 23 percent for persons without disabilities (28 percent for females, 19
percent for males). The proportion of people (15-64 years old) employed in informal sectors (or
self-employment as a proxy) was 13 percent for persons with a disability (16 percent for females,
10 percent for males) compared to 30 percent for persons without a disability (33 percent for
females, 27 percent for males). The proportion of people in managerial positions was found to be
0 percent for persons with disabilities, compared to 0.9 percent for persons without disabilities
(0.7 percent for females, 1 percent for males) (Leonard Cheshire 2018).
The Nigerian Constitution states that all citizens should have the opportunity to secure an
adequate means of livelihood and suitable employment without discrimination of any group. A
technical issue in how the Constitution is arranged limits the authority of the judiciary. The
Nigerian government cannot be compelled to carry out the duties contained within the
Constitution. The NWDA provides for government to take measures to promote the employment
of persons with disability. It also provides that at least 10 percent of all fund allocations to training
and personnel development must be reserved by employers of persons with disability. No person
with a disability should be face discrimination by an employer due to their disability. The NWDA
also states that private employers who employ persons with disability are entitled to a tax
deduction of 15 percent (Ofuani 2011).
Persons with disability are especially vulnerable to discrimination and disadvantage in
employment in Nigeria, experiencing unequal employment opportunities, limited rights to work
and low job security. Most employers are reported to be uncomfortable employing persons with
disabilities due to the conviction that they will be unable to perform their roles and/or that it would
be too expensive due to fear and stereotyping (Ofuani 2011).
Many persons with disabilities in Nigeria struggle to emerge from poverty as opportunities for
them are limited. In many cases, these lack of opportunities are caused by the lack of enabling
legislation to promote access to skills development and employment opportunities or by weak
implementation and enforcement measures if legislation is in place (Ofuani 2011). UNDP (2015)
report that disability surveys show that common occupations for persons with disabilities
in Nigeria were begging, studying, farming and trading, but the majority (60 percent) were
unemployed due to their disability and only about 4 percent have access to economic
empowerment.
A qualitative study by Eleweke and Ebenso (2016) reported that six of the seven interviewees
with disabilities indicated they were working full time. The participants had college education. The
participants stated that one of the reasons educated people with disabilities could have a hard
time finding jobs was people’s negative attitudes toward those with disabilities. They reported
varied experiences regarding barriers in the workplace and attitudes of their colleagues without
disabilities. The attitude of their colleagues made significant impacts on their job performances.
There were accounts of work colleagues helping when needed. Accounts are provided of efforts
made by employers and colleagues to accommodate workers with disabilities. However, some
19
participants gave accounts of challenges they encountered due to physical and attitudinal
barriers that excluded full and enjoyable participation in the workplace. There were accounts of
people with disabilities stereotyped into certain jobs. For instance, large corporations tend to put
blind people in call centres regardless of their education and training. People with disabilities
were sometimes reported to be employed as token gestures. Some women with disabilities were
reported to have been given jobs because of quotas. The accounts of the participants indicated
that women with disabilities might encounter additional problems in finding employment either
because of the patriarchal society or because of the pressures on firms to present attractive
images. Society’s view of women may restrict them from getting a job, as it is believed the
women’s place should be at home. Although some women with disabilities might possess
extensive computer training and skills they might not be hired due to a conceptions about public
image. Other factors contributing to the lower employment opportunities for women include the
level of education.
The Disabilities Act (2018) requires by law all public organisations to reserve at least five per
cent of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (Iroanusi 2019).
Disability and social protection
By Decree No. 73 of 1993, the federal government introduced the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust
Fund (NSITF). The provisions in the NSITF include disability benefits. In 2002, it was amended to
introduce a minimum pension benefit. Few state governments provide income support for older
people and persons with disabilities. The Jigawa State Government runs the only existing social
assistance programme for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. The programme was an initiative of
the State governor who wanted to uplift the standard of living of persons with disabilities. An
enabling bill was signed into law in 2007 by the state Governor. One hundred and fifty persons
with disability from each of the twenty-seven local governments of the state receive the sum of
seven thousand naira each monthly. From the record of the agency vested with the
responsibility, the sum of N28,539,000 has so far been paid to the beneficiaries. The programme
is fully owned and run by the state government, without any donor or federal government inputs.
Selection is largely based on patron-client relationship and luck, as there are no objectives
criteria developed for the selection process (Aiyede et al 2017).
A Disability Scoping Study focused on Nigeria published in 2008 reported that there is a lack of
social protection for people with disabilities (Lang & Upah 2008). Holmes (2017) reports that
there is in fact a wealth of social protection programmes being funded and implemented across
the country by numerous state-level government MDAs (ministries, departments, and agencies),
international donors, NGOs, and faith-based organisations (which include the disability grant in
Jigawa state mentioned above). Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board has a feeding
programme for pupils and students of the Special Education Centre in Jada, which is for children
with disabilities (Holmes et al 2012). However, in general, the numerous programmes are
uncoordinated in the absence of an overarching federal-led strategic social protection plan,
resulting in fragmented programming and inefficient service delivery (Holmes 2017).
The proportion of individuals older than 15 years with health insurance provided by Social
Security was found to be 1.4 percent for persons with disabilities (2.9 percent for females, 0
percent for males), compared to 2.4 percent for persons without disabilities (1.7 percent for
females, 3.1 percent for males) (Leonard Cheshire 2018).
According to Uduu (2020) social protection for people with disabilities in Nigeria is still relatively
weak. The Discrimination Against Person with Disability (Prohibition) Act has not significantly
20
improved the real ‘protection’ for people with disabilities and it has not reduced social, political,
and economic exclusion.
Disability and education and training
Despite various provisions in law and the Nigerian Constitution to promote equal and adequate
educational opportunities for all, not much has been done with regard to educating persons with
disabilities. As with employment, a technical issue in how the Constitution is arranged limits the
authority of the judiciary meaning that the Nigerian government cannot be compelled to carry out
the duties with regards education in the Constitution. The only way of enforcing provisions is
through judicial activism. The NWDA specifically states that the government and relevant
authorities must ensure equal and adequate education as well as provide free education for
persons with disabilities in Nigeria, as well as delivering vocational training. It also provides for
the establishment of special schools with appropriate curricula for different disabilities and
improves tertiary education facilities for persons with disabilities. It states that not less than 10
percent of all educational expenditure should be spent to the educational needs of persons with
disabilities. Despite these provisions, the rate of education for persons with disabilities is very low
and the degree of illiteracy is high compared to the rest of the population. It is doubtful if 10
percent of the education budget is spent on persons with disabilities. In some States, the
government has implemented a community-based vocational rehabilitation project. Some of the
centres are supported by CBM. For instance, the CBM project ‘Services for people with
disabilities’ supports about 100 persons a year in its economic empowerment and livelihood unit
by vocational training and small loans or grants for those that have achieved vocational skills to
set up their own micro-businesses. A lack of commitment by the government to provide the
necessary manpower and resources to ensure the functioning of these centres is reported
(Ofuani 2011).
In terms of special needs education, Adebisi et al (2014) identify various barriers, including
inadequate funding and failure to access funding which is available; negative attitudes; lack of
accessible infrastructure and long and difficult journeys to school; lack of clear and supportive
policies and legislation; lack of support services; poverty and school fees; inadequate
deployment of trained professionals and various bureaucratic obstacles. Focusing on the needs
of children who are deaf, Eleweke et al (2015) states that the provision of education and related
services remain unsatisfactory.
A disability data review produced by Leonard Cheshire (2018) reported the following findings on
disability and education and training:
• Primary school completion rates were reported to be 100 percent for all children with
disabilities in Nigeria (100 percent female, 100 percent male), compared to 78 percent for
all children without disabilities (79 percent for females and 77 percent for males).
Secondary school completion rates were only 40 percent for all children with disabilities
(0 percent for females and 50 percent for males), compared to 56 percent for all children
without disabilities (55 percent for females and 57 percent for males).
• The participation rate in organised learning (one year before the official primary entry
age) for Nigeria was 12 percent for children with disabilities (12 percent for both male and
females), compared to 57 percent for those without disabilities (59 percent for males and
55 percent for females). The participation rate of youths (15-24 years old) in
education/training in Nigeria was 25 percent for those with disabilities (18 percent for
females, 29 percent for males), compared to 55 percent for those without disabilities (50
percent for females and 60 percent for males). Participation rate of adults (25-64 years
old) in education/training in Nigeria was 0.5 percent for persons with disabilities (percent
21
for females, 0 percent for males), compared to 4.5 percent for persons without disabilities
(3.4 percent for females, 5.7 percent for males).
• Literacy rates for those less than 25 years old was found to be 36 percent for persons
with disabilities (21 percent for females, 52 percent for males), compared to 64 percent
for persons without disabilities (62 percent for females and 66 percent for males).
1
Literacy rates for those least 25 years old were found to be 35 percent for persons with
disability (22 percent for females, 47 percent for males), compared to 61 percent for
those without (51 percent for females, 74 percent for males). Literacy rates for people at
least 15 years old were found to be 37 percent for persons with disabilities (21 percent
for females, 50 percent for males), compared to 68 percent for persons without (60
percent for females and 78 percent for males).
In terms of limitations, it should be noted that fewer than 50 unweighted observations were used
for these calculations (Leonard Cheshire 2018).
JONAPWD (2017) estimate that about 3 million children with disabilities (representing about 90
percent of children with disabilities) are out of school in Nigeria.
Further and higher education
Leonard Cheshire (2018) report that university completion rates (25-54 years old) in Nigeria were
4.5 percent for persons with disabilities (0 percent for females, 7.1 percent for males) compared
to 9.1 percent for persons without disabilities (6.1 percent for females, 12 percent for males).
University completion rates for people at least 55 years old were 5.1 percent for persons with
disabilities (0 percent for females, 7.3 percent for males) compared to 8.8 percent for persons
without disabilities (4.6 percent for females, 11 percent for males).
Eleweke and Ebenso (2016) found that classrooms and lecture theatres in colleges and
universities in the country were not accessible to wheelchair users. Also, attitudinal barriers
emerged when individuals with disabilities were applying for admission into schools. Such
negative attitudes could be due to misunderstanding of the nature and needs of people with
disabilities or due to blatant discrimination. The latter seemed to be the case for those with
stigmatised conditions such as leprosy. The attitude of teachers and school administrators was a
concern raised by the participants.
In August 2018, the Industrial Training Fund launched a programme to address spiralling
unemployment and drive job creation. One element of the programme was called Skills Training
and Empowerment Programme for the Physically Challenged (STEPP-C) involving 120 persons
(ITF 2018). It is not clear at this stage how effective STEPP-C has been.
In collaboration with the Anambra State Government, UNDP Nigeria implemented the
Special Target Enterprises Development and Monitor Initiative for persons with
disabilities. The initiative aimed to empower participants with vocational skills in four
trade areas; shoe making, tailoring, hair dressing and computer application/management
(UNDP 2015).
1
The table that provided the data on literacy rates for those aged less than 25 years old, is believed to be
incorrectly titled in the version of the report that was referenced.
22
Khan et al (2018) report that despite many persons with disabilities benefiting from
rehabilitation programmes and skills acquisition through the governmental agencies, many
discontinue the application of what they have learnt.
Disability and transport/public accessibility
A study into mobility challenges and transport safety of people with disabilities in Ibadan found
that the challenges facing people with disabilities are being exacerbated by poor and inadequate
transport. Data from 388 persons with disability were gathered in 2 major motor parks,
designated bus stops and road terminals. Two thirds of respondents were male, 72 percent had
no more than primary education and begging was the main source of income. 90 percent of
respondents made only two trips per day and 80 percent were reliant on public transport. Road
environment and vehicle design were the main mobility challenges. To meet the needs of
persons with disabilities, improvements are needed in accessible transport infrastructure,
disability awareness for public transport staff, vehicle design and disable-oriented mobility
planning (Ipingbemi 2015).
Most public buildings in Nigeria are not accessible to persons with disabilities. Only very few
tertiary institutions and government offices have rams, lifts with sound and floors with brail
numbering. Access to public transport Nigeria’s public transport system is not sensitive to the
plight of persons with disabilities and there is no social inclusion project or programme envisaged
(Umeh and Adeola 2013).
Under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2018) a five-year
transitional period is stipulated for modifying public buildings, structures, and automobiles to
make them accessible and usable for people with disabilities (Ewang 2019).
The disabilities act (2018) prohibits discrimination against persons with disability in public
transportation facilities. Service providers are required to make provisions for all people with
disabilities. This applies to seaports, railways and airport facilities. Existing public buildings have
a five-year transitional period within which they need to be made accessible. For new buildings,
before a public structure is started, its plans shall be inspected by relevant authorities to ensure
that the plan conforms with the building code. Plans will not be approved if they are not
accessible. An officer who approves the approval of a building plan that contravenes the building
code is liable to a fine of N1,000,000 or a term of imprisonment of two years or both (Iroanusi
2019).
Disability and health
Verdier-Chouchane and Karagueuzian (2016) constructed an inclusive health index based on
nine health indicators that take into account the conceptual dimensions of inclusive health
(quantity, quality and accessibility). The nine indicators were immunisation, maternal mortality
ratio, improved sanitation facilities, density of physicians, tuberculosis, improved water source,
government expenditure on health, life expectancy at birth and out-of-pocket expenditure. Nigeria
fell within the bottom 10 countries on the index, suggesting much of its population are deprived in
terms of inclusive health care services. Nigeria also fell within the bottom 10 countries with
regards to those with least active inclusive health care policies.
Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Report (2008), Khan et al (2018) state that
over 97 percent of the Nigerian population have no health insurance The majority of people with
disabilities in Nigeria receive rehabilitation from families, friends and, in a few cases, by
governmental agencies (through institutional or custodial care) (Khan et al 2018).
23
Under the new Disabilities Act (2018) healthcare is one of the areas that a new National
Commission for Persons with Disabilities will be working to deliver (Ewang 2019).
Access to assistive devices and assistance
A study to investigate the availability of assistive technologies for special education in Nigerian
educational institutions that involved the participation of 1,115 teachers found that the majority of
institutions do not have required assistive technologies for students with disabilities. The findings
suggest assistive technologies are not being utilised adequately in Nigeria (Yusuf, Fakomogbon
& Issa 2012). A study focused on northern Nigeria reported that the cost of addressing ear
infections and deafness is higher than the monthly minimum wage for most individuals (Adoga,
Nimkur & Silas 2010).
Organisations supporting people with disabilities
Nigeria has a plethora of organisations of people with disabilities that operate at national, state
and local levels. However, with a few notable exceptions, the vast majority have adopted a
charity/welfare approach to disability issues, and have little understanding of a rights-based
agenda or indeed, the principles of the social model of disability. This has resulted in the
adoption of inappropriate advocacy and campaigning strategies and confusion over
representation of persons with disabilities. The lack of unity within the Nigerian disability
movement has a negative impact upon advocacy and lobbying. There are two competing
national organisations of people with disabilities in Nigeria, both of which claim to represent all
people with disabilities in the country (Lang et al 2011). These are the Joint National Association
of Persons with Disabilities (JONAWPD), and the Association for the Comprehensive
Empowerment of Nigerians with Disabilities (ASCEND) (Lang & Upah 2008). The rivalry between
these groups has resulted in many Nigerian organisations of people with disabilities focusing on
tackling relatively low key issues, rather than dealing with deep-seated institutional and attitudinal
barriers. The Nigerian disability movement has to date failed to successfully drive forward a
rights-based approach to disability (Lang et al 2011). The main ministry for disability issues is the
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. The services that they provide have their
roots in a charity/welfare approach. Demand for such services far outstrips supply. There are
international NGOs focusing on the delivery of services to people with disabilities, but their
geographical coverage is limited. The vast majority of people with disabilities have no access to
disability services. This is particularly the case for those living in rural areas (Lang & Upah 2008).
According to Umeh and Adeola (2013) JONAPWD is the official body in Nigeria that specifically
addresses the violation of the rights of people with disabilities. The Executive Council of
JONAPWD acts as a conduit between the Nigerian government and persons with disabilities in
order to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. JONAPWD protects persons with
disabilities by reporting any form of inhuman treatment they are subjected to, to the government.
It has been able to establish partnership with other mainstream human rights organisations.
However, it has been argued that JONAPWD does not have the capacity to become an effective
rights-based advocacy body as a result of the absence of a strategic plan including an obvious
lack of transparency.
ASCEND started as a movement for the empowerment of Nigerians with disabilities. It is a
platform for all Nigerians with disabilities to come together and speak with one voice. ASCEND is
a socio-political group with the objective aim of integrating persons with disabilities in society
generally, and in politics in particular (Umeh and Adeola 2013).
24
In addition to the JONAPWD and ASCEND, which are the national umbrella bodies, there is a
multiplicity of other organisations of people with disabilities working at a national, state and local
level. Most of these organisations cater for the needs of single impairment groups (Umeh and
Adeola 2013).
The Coalition of Disability Organisations (CODO) is another umbrella organisation for persons
with disability. In 2012, CODO were supportive of the strikes/protests called by the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil societies (Adelaja 2012).
A qualitative study involving 5 executives of organisations of people with disabilities and 7
individuals with disabilities reported that the organisations of people with disabilities played an
important role in the struggle to promote public awareness of the needs of people with disabilities
and exerting pressure on the government to enact and implement enabling laws that would lead
to eliminating discrimination and removing disabling barriers. Most of the participants expressed
disappointments in the work of most organisations of people with disabilities in the country.
Organisations of people with disabilities are criticised for being charity/welfare organisations with
a focus on immediate financial gratification. There are also geographical factors, with the few
organisations of people with disabilities that do exist in the northern parts of the country being run
by a few people who have access to the government contracts. They accumulate money and
other benefits for themselves and play a limited role in advocacy. The executives of
organisations of people with disabilities are believed to be working for their personal benefits
rather than ensuring the disabling barriers people with disabilities encountered in accessing
services were brought to the attention of the policy-makers and the government pressured to
enact and implement laws that could result in improvements (Eleweke and Ebenso 2016).
Humanitarian situations
There is growing recognition in Nigeria and across the world of the need to protect and promote
the rights of women and people with disabilities in times of relative peace, insecurity and violent
conflict. In times of violent conflict, women and girls with disabilities find it difficult to escape
violence and expressed a sense of abandonment. Difficulties in mobility often leave them reliant
on others. They may be unaware of what is happening having not been warned of danger, or
know how to get to safety. Those able to escape immediate violence may lose mobility aids,
medicines and caregivers in the midst of the crisis. This loss leaves these women and girls more
reliant on others and has consequences for their health. In addition to psychological trauma, the
separation or death of their caregivers can lead to women struggling to cope and leave them at
greater risk of exploitation, including gender based violence. The violence women and girls with
disabilities experience during violent conflict forms a continuum with their experiences during
times of relative peace. Women and girls with disabilities are more likely to experience gender-
based violence but less likely to be able to speak up, be believed and access services. This is
partly due to their reliance on those in positions of power over them, including caregivers or
family members – the group that the respondents were most likely to name as the perpetrators of
violence. Respondents to a study in Nigeria spoke of how they felt interventions by government,
security and civil society actors did not take the needs of women and girls with disabilities into
account, were not accessible to them and did not include them in design or implementation. They
felt little was done to ensure specific interventions are (Jerry et al 2015).
Post-election violence from 2011 in northern Nigeria led to resettlement of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) in a camp in Kaduna, the worst affected state. One in two and one in six IDPs
living in Kaduna were found to develop post-conflict probable depression and definite depression
(Sheikh et al 2015). The Boko Haram crisis has ravaged the North East part of Nigeria and has
left indelible traumatic effect on the inhabitants especially the Internally Displaced People (IDPs)
25
who fled their homes for survival. A study involving 422 IDPs found high rates of depression in
North-East Nigeria. The study also reported a strong correlation between having a disability and
having depression (Nwoga et al 2018).
COVID 19
In April 2020, The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social
Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, reiterated Government commitment to enhancing the living
conditions of all Nigerians including those with disabilities. The Minister said that the Nigerian
Government would work to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on citizens, especially people with
disabilities. Assurance was offered that policies and programmes undertaken by the Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will be made inclusive
(Iyorkegh 2020).
In July 2020 it was announced that sign language interpreters would become a permanent
feature on the Nigerian national news, meaning COVID-19 information and other bulletins will be
more accessible for people with hearing impairments. The Nigerian government has promised to
carry forward the interpreters with permanent contracts following a pilot in July 2020 (Qualitative
2020).
5. How the SITANS were conducted
A non-systematic literature review has been conducted for each country within the time and
resources available, covering both academic and grey literature, focusing on a number of areas,
including the general situation for people with disabilities in each county and the four focus areas
of the DID programme: health, education, livelihoods and stigma and discrimination.
2
Searches
of publicly available English language literature for each thematic area have been conducted
through academic databases, search engines and websites which host grey literature. As
disability and development is an under researched area, much of the available literature and
evidence is grey literature published by governments and organisations working in the countries,
rather than academic literature. Also, the most recent and up to date evidence comes in the form
of journalism or press releases. Some of the evidence presents contradictory findings, especially
in relation to disability prevalence.
The most recent well-evidenced literature was selected for synthesis in the SITANs to provide
those working on the DID programme with an overview of the current situation in the country to
help with the design of the interventions. As a time lag sometimes exists between evidence being
gathered and then published, the SITANs are living documents, which will be updated annually to
reflect newly available evidence. Having the SITANs as living documents also means they can
be adapted to reflect new areas of interest to the programme, or areas to be developed further,
throughout its implementation. As people in the different countries use and engage with the
SITANs in the project planning processes in the countries, they will have the opportunity to
feedback on the SITANs based on their current experiences (helping deal with the time lag issue)
2
The Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria SITANs have adapted and made more relevant to DID’s themes, the
SITANs written earlier for three of the four countries in the UK Aid funded Inclusion Works! programme, which
focuses on issues relating to formal employment, in order not to duplicate efforts. Nepal and Tanzania SITANs
have been written from scratch. The Jordan SITAN draws on a K4D helpdesk report on disability inclusion in
Jordan.
26
and provide useful internal evidence which is not available publicly. Feedback on the content of
the SITANs is thus incorporated in two different ways:
1) Highlighting published material that can be incorporated into the main text.
2) Unpublished commentary that is added under ‘Annex 1 - Feedback and commentary on
the SITAN from consortium partners’.
The SITANs have been reviewed by a gender expert from IDS to ensure that
gender/intersectionality are well reflected, where possible.
DID SITANs:
Thompson, S. (2020). Bangladesh Situational Analysis. Disability Inclusive Development.
Thompson, S. (2020). Jordan Situational Analysis. Disability Inclusive Development.
Thompson, S. (2020). Nigeria Situational Analysis. Disability Inclusive Development.
Rohwerder, B. (2020). Kenya Situational Analysis. Disability Inclusive Development.
Rohwerder, B. (2020). Nepal Situational Analysis. Disability Inclusive Development.
Rohwerder, B. (2020). Tanzania Situational Analysis. Disability Inclusive Development.
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32
Annex 1 - Feedback and commentary on the SITAN from
consortium partners
Feedback from Marthe Damina, Sightsavers Nigeria (June 2020).
Inclusive education
Dr Adebayo Adebukola undertook a piece of work titled ‘Collection of National-Level Data on the
Realities of Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities in Nigeria’ for DID in August 2019. It
was reported that since 2010, many states including Lagos, Kwara, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa,
Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, among others have developed
legal and policy frameworks on inclusive education and are at various levels of implementation.
However, the presence of legal and policy frameworks at national and state levels researches
still indicate significant gaps in the delivery of inclusive education for CWDs in Nigeria. Such
gaps range from inadequacy in the number of both special and inclusive schools at primary and
secondary levels to accommodate the millions of out-of-school children with disabilities;
inadequate number of special teachers and other professionals required to provide support and
services; inadequate assistive teaching and learning materials including technologies; poor
inclusivity and accessibility practices in regular schools which provide integration and inclusive
education programmes; poor funding from government at all levels; low level of awareness on
inclusive education among stakeholders; poor implementation of, and low level of compliance
with available legal and policy framework; etc.
It is worthy of note that a lot of states in Nigeria are beginning to see the importance of education
of children with disabilities in a more conducive, inclusive and child friendly learning environment.
Livelihoods
The Inclusion Works Project in Nigeria facilitated the placement of 32 job seekers with disabilities
into formal employment through its training/mentoring and advocacy effort. So far, among all four
consortium countries, Nigeria is the only country that has facilitated the placement of job seekers
with disabilities into formal employment.
Feedback for the Inclusion Works Situational Analysis
3
from Kimber Bialik, Project
Manager, Inclusion International (June 2020)
Within the disability community in Nigeria, people with intellectual disabilities are among the most
marginalised, with lower rates of employment than people with disabilities from other impairment
groups. Jobseekers with intellectual disabilities face additional barriers to employment –
educational, attitudinal, and accessibility barriers. School enrolment rates are lower among
people with intellectual disabilities, and when people with intellectual disabilities do have access
to education, it is most often in segregated settings that rarely provide a path to a certificate,
which further disadvantages them in the job market. Vocational skills training opportunities are
rarely delivered in a way that is accessible to people with intellectual disabilities. Due to strong
stigma, employers lack understanding of intellectual disabilities and hold assumptions about
people with intellectual disabilities being incapable of working. Employers in Nigeria also express
fear that having a person with an intellectual disability on their staff would result in a loss of
customers, and are less willing to consider hiring an individual in a customer facing position or
otherwise. Employment initiatives enshrined in legislation like quota systems tend not to benefit
3
https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/15487
33
the most marginalised groups, who are last in line for employment among other people with
disabilities, and people with intellectual disabilities who are employed are typically paid a fraction
of the wage of their non-disabled colleagues. As an alternative to inclusive formal sector
employment, people with intellectual disabilities in Nigeria are often pushed towards self-
employment. Self-employment for people with intellectual disabilities requires a significant
investment from family members to be a viable option, and the reality of stigma making it
challenging to get customers to patronise their businesses. Self-advocates emphasise the need
to work towards inclusive formal sector employment as their best option for inclusive livelihoods,
and indicate the need for a greater understanding of workplace support strategies among
employers and broader training for colleagues to ensure workplaces are free of discrimination.
