Abuja, Nigeria – The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has received a consignment of assistive devices donated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission under its Regional Programme for the Provision of Assistive Devices to Children with Disabilities in West Africa.
The landmark handover ceremony, held at the NCPWD Headquarters in Abuja, brought together representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, development partners, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described the initiative as a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to ensuring that no child with a disability is left behind.
He commended ECOWAS for its generosity and continued leadership in promoting disability inclusion across West Africa, noting that the donation aligns with the shared vision of ECOWAS and the Federal Government of Nigeria to advance dignity, equal opportunity, and participation for children with disabilities.
Citing the WHO and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology, Gufwan noted that nine out of every ten people who require assistive technology worldwide do not have access to it. He added that more than 26 million Nigerians living with disabilities require one form of assistive technology or another, with demand far exceeding supply.
“For a child, an assistive device is not merely equipment; it is a pathway to education, independence, participation, confidence and hope,” he said.
He called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and the private sector to deepen collaboration in ensuring sustainable access to assistive technology across the country.
Representing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Senior Technical Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Daniel Dung Dalyop, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
He described the donation as more than a humanitarian intervention, saying it represents dignity restored, independence regained and opportunities reopened for beneficiaries.
Dalyop also commended ECOWAS for demonstrating regional solidarity and urged the NCPWD to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of the devices to those most in need.
In her remarks, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, said the programme was initiated following a 2024 regional disability inclusion study that revealed severe shortages in access to assistive technology across West Africa.
According to her, approximately 240 million children worldwide live with disabilities, while nearly 15 per cent of children aged between 0 and 17 years in West and Central Africa have one form of disability.
She explained that the initiative aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which seeks to build an integrated, peaceful and prosperous region founded on strong institutions, respect for fundamental rights and inclusive development.
ECOWAS further disclosed that Nigeria and Togo were selected as the first beneficiaries of the regional programme, with plans to strengthen disability data collection, promote local production of assistive technology and expand the programme to other member states.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, applauded ECOWAS for its unwavering commitment to empowering persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to disability rights and inclusion through the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, while commending the leadership of NCPWD for securing strategic partnerships that continue to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
The event featured the formal handover of the assistive devices by Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr to the NCPWD and the presentation of the User Guide on Assistive Technology by Dr. Ismail Idris, Head of the Commission’s Assistive Devices and Technology Unit.
