The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged the federal government to implement practical measures to integrate Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into Nigeria’s climate policies, financing and green economic opportunities.
Nneka Okafor, chair of the UN Disability-Inclusion Technical Working Group, representing the UN Resident Coordinator, made the call at the National Summit on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action, organised by the Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI) in Abuja.
The summit, themed “From Belém Commitments to COP31 Implementation: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Climate Action in Nigeria”, brought together government representatives, development partners, disability advocates and civil society organisations.
The summit focused on translating global climate commitments into inclusive action ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31).
Mr Okafor said PWDs faced additional risks from climate change, particularly because of barriers to accessing climate information, essential services and emergency support.
She said inclusive policies and accessible solutions were necessary to ensure that climate interventions addressed the needs of all Nigerians.
“We need inclusive policies and accessible solutions, not just to talk and meet. Let us walk the talk as a people and as a nation,” she said.
She reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promoted equitable and accessible climate policies, commending the organisers for creating a platform to address challenges confronting PWDs.
Omamide Fadish, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Innovation, said the summit provided an opportunity to advance inclusive climate action and strengthen partnerships ahead of COP31.
Mr Fadish said Nigeria needed to move from climate commitments to practical implementation, investments and measurable outcomes that improved livelihoods and strengthened community resilience.
He said COP31 presented an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen international cooperation, mobilise climate finance and demonstrate how climate action could deliver tangible development outcomes.
“The success of climate policies should be measured by their impact on people’s lives, employment opportunities created, technologies deployed and resilience built within communities,” he said.
Tenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), said PWDs must be meaningfully involved in climate dialogue, policy development, adaptation planning and the implementation of Nigeria’s climate commitments.
Ms Majekodunmi, represented by Saadatu Madaki, Assistant Chief Scientific at the council, said climate change affected everyone, but PWDs faced additional barriers to accessing early-warning systems, emergency responses, clean energy solutions and green employment.
She described the proposed Abuja Declaration on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action as an opportunity to strengthen institutional accountability and accessibility across climate governance, financing and resilience-building programmes.
Ms Majekodunmi urged stakeholders to ensure that disability inclusion became an integral part of Nigeria’s climate agenda rather than an afterthought.
Bashiru Daudu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, described disability inclusion as a civil rights issue rather than an act of charity.
Mr Daudu said the amendment of the disability law was ongoing.
He advised PWDs to familiarise themselves with its provisions and acquire adequate knowledge to engage implementing stakeholders on their rights.
He urged Nigerians to comply with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, particularly its provisions on accessibility and equal opportunities.
Earlier, the President of GDGI, Angelina Ugben, said PWDs should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of climate interventions but recognised as leaders, innovators and decision-makers.
Ms Ugben said PWDs continued to face barriers to accessing education, climate finance, information and employment opportunities, in spite of their capacity to contribute meaningfully to climate solutions.
“Persons with disabilities must not merely be beneficiaries; they must be active participants, leaders, innovators and decision-makers,” she said.
She said the summit was expected to advance practical interventions, including inclusive climate policies, accessible green jobs, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture and resilient communities.
Ms Ugben expressed appreciation to government institutions, development partners and disability-led organisations supporting efforts to advance disability-inclusive climate action in Nigeria.
Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), said climate change was an environmental, development, human rights and social justice issue.
Mr Gufwan, represented by the commission’s Head of Education, Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, said flooding, drought, extreme weather, food insecurity and displacement placed PWDs at greater risk, particularly when evacuation routes, emergency shelters and relief services were inaccessible.
He called for accessible early-warning systems, inclusive emergency preparedness, disability-inclusive climate finance, reliable data, meaningful participation and clear accountability mechanisms.
He said existing legal obligations should inform the planning of climate-resilient infrastructure, accessible emergency shelters, evacuation facilities and public services.
Samuel Omoi, the Country Director of Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Nigeria, said the inclusion of PWDs in government policies, particularly financial plans, could not be overemphasised.
Mr Omoi, represented by Fwangshak Guar, CBM Country Humanitarian Coordinator/Technical Specialist, called for greater attention to disability inclusion in policies and programmes, stressing the importance of ensuring that PWDs benefited from government interventions.
“For millions of Nigerians with disabilities, climate change is not simply an environmental issue.
“It is a human rights issue. It affects access to food, water, shelter, education, healthcare, livelihoods, mobility, safety, and participation in society.
“When climate shocks occur, existing inequalities are often amplified. Those who already face barriers become even more vulnerable,” he said.
The summit was supported by UNDP, Christian Blind Mission, Ministry of Environment, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other development partners.
The event is expected to advance recommendations for disability-inclusive climate action, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and support the development of the proposed Abuja Declaration to guide implementation in Nigeria.
(NAN)
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