The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria have jointly appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to fully implement the Ogun State Disability Law before his tenure expires in eight months. This call was made at a press briefing held at the NUJ Press Centre in Abeokuta. The law, signed by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun on December 27, 2017, has yet to be fully operationalized nearly nine years later.
According to the groups, persons with disabilities in Ogun State are still waiting for the law to translate into functioning institutions and enforceable protections. They emphasized that a law passed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities must not remain a law on paper but become a law in action. The groups have engaged the state government through various means, including meetings, consultations, letters, courtesy visits, and media advocacy since 2025, but have seen no concrete results.
The organizations stressed that their campaign is not aimed at confronting the government but at ensuring that commitments are turned into action. They argued that discussions about possible amendments to the law should not delay its implementation indefinitely. The government can operationalize the existing law while pursuing any necessary amendments through the legislature.
The non-implementation of the law has had serious consequences for persons with disabilities in various sectors, including education, healthcare, transportation, employment, economic participation, and political engagement. According to 2025 JONAPWD data, approximately 1,032,221 persons are living with disabilities in Ogun State. This estimate is based on a 15 percent benchmark of the National Population Commission’s projection.
The disability community remains ready to partner with the government, provide technical input, and mobilize its members, but partnership must produce results. The National President of SCIAN, Abdulwahab Matepo, stated that the community has demonstrated patience through various engagements but now expects action. He called on Governor Abiodun to provide the necessary political direction to conclude the implementation process before his term expires.
Ayo Awobona, Chairman of JONAPWD, Ogun State chapter, urged all political parties and governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 elections to make disability inclusion a core part of their agenda. He called on candidates to publicly commit to implementing the law and engage persons with disabilities directly on inclusive governance. Awobona also called on INEC to ensure that the 2027 elections are fully inclusive.
The groups remain committed to ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are protected and promoted in Ogun State. They believe that implementing the disability law will significantly improve the lives of persons with disabilities and enhance their participation in various aspects of life. The implementation of the law is expected to provide enforceable protections and functioning institutions for the disability community.
Key points
- The Ogun State Disability Law was signed in 2017 but has yet to be fully implemented.
- The law aims to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and employment.
- The disability community is urging Governor Abiodun to take action before his tenure expires in eight months.
