President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a national demographic database on persons with disabilities, describing it as a major step toward strengthening inclusive development and evidence-based policymaking in Nigeria.
The database, published by the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, was presented at an event in Abuja.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mallam Abba Isa, the President said the report represents an important contribution to national efforts aimed at promoting inclusion and improving planning for persons with disabilities across the country.
He explained that the database would serve as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, development partners, and advocacy groups working to advance disability inclusion in Nigeria.
According to the report, Kano State records the highest estimated population of persons with disabilities at about 2.5 million, followed by Lagos State with approximately 2.1 million.
The findings further indicate that persons with physical disabilities constitute the largest cluster at about 8.2 million, followed by members of the deaf community, estimated at about 7.7 million.
The report also provides further disaggregation across disability clusters and gender categories, Tinubu said in remarks delivered on his behalf. The findings indicate that persons with physical disabilities constitute the largest cluster, estimated at approximately 8.2 million individuals, followed by the deaf community with an estimated population of about 7.7 million.
President of JONAPWD, Abdullahi Usman, said the absence of reliable disability data had long hindered effective policy formulation and resource allocation, while the Secretary of the National Population Commission, Adeyi Onah, noted that the commission endorsed the report and expressed optimism that it would help address the challenges faced by persons living with disabilities in Nigeria.
RN
