Nigeria’s unfinished promise to persons with disabilities: The silent crisis of exclusion in appointments and employment

By Eja Manifest Eji

In a country of over 200 million people, where an estimated 30–33% of citizens live with one form of disability, one would imagine that disability inclusion would be at the center of national development conversations. Yet, for millions of Nigerians with disabilities, the reality is a daily struggle for visibility, recognition, and basic inclusion in the nation’s political and socio-economic spaces.

Despite the passage of the Prohibition of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Act in 2018, which clearly reserves at least 5% of all employment opportunities—including appointments into public offices—for persons with disabilities, the implementation remains painfully slow, scattered, and in many cases, nonexistent.

Today, Nigeria faces a disturbing contradiction: a legal framework that promises equality, but a governance culture that largely ignores it.

A Law Ignored: The Broken Promises of the 2018 Act

The Prohibition of Persons with Disabilities Act was celebrated as a historic victory—a long-awaited legal foundation to protect the rights of PWDs. The Act was expected to usher in inclusiveness in employment, political appointments, education, healthcare access, transportation, and social protection.

One of the most impactful provisions of the Act is the mandatory 5% employment and appointment quota for persons with disabilities in all government ministries, departments, agencies, and establishments.

But seven years later, the question remains: Where are the jobs? Where are the appointments?

Across federal and state levels, only a handful of appointments involve persons with disabilities, and even those are often symbolic, low-ranking, or politically inconsequential. Many states still have no disability desk officers, no disability advisors, and no representation in cabinet-level positions.

While some states such as Lagos, Plateau, Ekiti, Jigawa, and Kano have established disability commissions, implementation varies widely and is often weakened by political interference, inadequate funding, and a lack of clear monitoring mechanisms.

The Confusion and Silence of the NCPWD

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), established under the Act, was meant to champion disability rights nationwide—monitoring compliance, advising governments, and protecting the welfare of PWDs.

Yet, many Nigerians with disabilities are increasingly asking:

Is the NCPWD doing enough?

Do they understand the urgency of implementation?

Why is the Commission silent in the face of obvious marginalization?

The Commission’s efforts, though present in advocacy and campaigns, have not translated into the needed structural changes. Many PWDs feel confused about the Commission’s responsibilities and disappointed at its inability to assert pressure on government establishments that consistently violate the law.

Qualified Yet Ignored: A Skilled Population Left Behind

The narrative that persons with disabilities are dependent or unproductive is one of the most damaging stereotypes in the country. In reality, persons with disabilities in Nigeria include graduates, professionals, innovators, technologists, administrators, and experts who have excelled despite social and infrastructural barriers.

From visually impaired lawyers, ICT gurus, and university lecturers, to physically challenged engineers, social workers, journalists, and entrepreneurs—Nigerians with disabilities have repeatedly proven that disability does not diminish competence.

Yet, systemic discrimination continues. Many government employers refuse to hire PWDs, citing “limitations,” “lack of facilities,” or “no special provisions,” even when the law mandates inclusive practices.

Appointments in various states often exclude PWDs entirely or relegate them to minor committees with no influence, no decision-making power, and no long-term developmental value.

Federal Character Without Disability Character

Nigeria’s widely quoted Federal Character principle is meant to ensure fair representation of states and ethnic groups in national opportunities. Yet, no equivalent “disability character” principle has been visibly enforced—even though the law effectively provides one.

Neither federal nor state governments have demonstrated concrete, measurable inclusion of PWDs in:

Cabinet appointments

Boards of government parastatals

Senior administrative positions

Key advisory councils

Policy formulation committees

Public sector employment

Instead, disability inclusion is left to chance, goodwill, or political sympathy—none of which guarantee systematic progress.

A Call for Real Implementation: Beyond Policies and Paperwork

Nigeria has established disability commissions in some states, and the federal government has passed the disability law, but policy without implementation is only paper—and paper cannot change lives.

For real progress, the government must:

1. Enforce the 5% Employment and Appointment Quota

No ministry, agency, or government office should be allowed to ignore this law without consequences.

2. Strengthen the NCPWD

The Commission must be more assertive, visible, and proactive—issuing compliance reports, naming non-compliant institutions, and pushing for reforms.

3. Ensure Representation in Decision-Making

Persons with disabilities must be included in key offices, not just token appointments.

4. Build an actionable national disability employment strategy

One that integrates education, entrepreneurship, public sector jobs, private sector incentives, and technology.

5. Provide accessible work environments

Ramps, elevators, adaptive technologies, sign language interpreters, Braille materials, and accessible digital platforms should be standard.

The Way Forward: Giving Persons with Disabilities a National Voice

Nigeria cannot continue to overlook millions of its citizens. Disability inclusion is not charity; it is justice. It is equity. It is a constitutional and legal obligation.

Above all, it is a recognition of the value, intelligence, and contributions that persons with disabilities bring to the development table.

The government must “sit up,” as many advocates say, and create a clear roadmap for inclusion. Establishing disability commissions and passing laws is not enough. Implementation is what matters.

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities must rise to its responsibilities—ensuring that PWDs are not only heard but also represented where it truly matters: in governance, policy, employment, and national development.

Nigeria cannot achieve inclusive growth while leaving behind one of its largest and most capable populations.

The time for excuses is over—the time for action is now.