For PWDs in Nigeria to Live a Fulfilled Life
By Fatimat Ibrahim Abedoh
In 2022, Crystal Asige, a visually impaired woman, was nominated to the 4th Senate in Kenya’s 13th Parliament to represent people with disabilities and special interest groups. Picked by the Orange Democratic Party (ODM), she was sworn in alongside 66 other Senators on September 8, 2022.
Despite her disability, Asige was seen for her potential and given an opportunity to thrive, becoming a role model for many in similar circumstances. She has been excelling ever since. In contrast, Nigeria has a significant population of about 35 million people with disabilities, yet they are still treated unfairly, shunned, and disregarded.
No public space, transit system, or infrastructure in Nigeria is designed with PWDs in mind, reflecting the height of their struggles. It is no secret that life in Nigeria is challenging, but for PWDs, it is twice as difficult.
PWDs in Nigeria face numerous challenges and barriers to full inclusion and participation in society, issues that are not discussed enough. Individuals, private organizations, and public institutions are often unwelcoming, making it difficult for PWDs to thrive in all aspects of life.
This lack of accessibility constrains their potential and strips them of the platform to live and contribute meaningfully to society—whether in education, politics, employment, or social activities.
Their basic human rights are severely violated, as being disabled often equates to being treated as less than human. This is why many PWDs resort to begging for survival. But they need more than a pity party; they deserve respect and inclusion.
Recently, a PWD faced discrimination at an eatery. Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, recounted his humiliating experience at the KFC outlet in the Murtala Muhammed Airport via his X handle (@DebolaDaniel). A wheelchair user, Daniel described the incident as the worst public humiliation he had ever faced.
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He explained that due to the out-of-service lift to the airport lounge, he decided to wait at the KFC outlet with his wife and three brothers. However, this simple choice turned into a “colossal mistake,” as he put it.
His tweets partly read: “Being disabled often rolls over my spirit, leaving behind a trail of shattered dignity and forgotten humanity. Nowhere more so than in Nigeria. To be disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome, and unaccepted… Today, I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand, KFC, at an international airport – Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos – is unthinkable.”
Daniel’s case gained public attention, particularly because of his family background, prompting the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to shut down the outlet and demand an apology. But what about the millions of other PWDs who have faced similar or worse situations in their lives? Who listens to them, and who takes action on their behalf?
In Kenya, since Asige’s entry into the Senate, she has been able to sponsor three bills that have been enforced by the Kenyan government, all tailored to the interests and welfare of persons with disabilities. These are the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2023, the Kenyan Sign Language Bill 2023, and the Startup Bill 2022.
She continues to work in the interest of not only Kenyan youths but also those across Africa. In Nigeria, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act was passed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018. Yet, six years later, it has not been fully implemented.
There is an urgent need for adequate funding for education, assistive technology, and other essential resources for PWDs. Nigeria practices representative democracy, and PWDs deserve to be heard, seen, and listened to. They need representation in the Senate or the House of Representatives to ensure their voices are amplified.
PWDs are capable of much more than their disabilities, and no one can represent them better than one of their own.
