The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association Lawyers with Disabilities Forum (NBA-LWDF) to promote awareness and ensure full enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The agreement was reached on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the NBA-LWDF, led by its Chairperson, Barr. Patience Etumudon, to the SSA’s office.
Speaking during the meeting, Abba Isa welcomed the delegation and commended the Forum for its resilience, professionalism, and commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities within and beyond the legal profession.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained committed to promoting disability inclusion and improving the welfare of persons with disabilities through targeted policies and initiatives.
According to him, the formation of the NBA-LWDF reflects a growing determination among persons with disabilities to take ownership of advocacy for inclusive development.
“All hands must be on deck to achieve inclusive development. That is why partnership and collaboration are essential,” he said.
Abba Isa emphasized that effective enforcement of the Disability Act cannot be achieved without the active involvement of legal practitioners, stressing that lawyers play a critical role in ensuring compliance and advancing justice.
He added that the objectives of the visit—promoting equal opportunities, encouraging mentorship, and addressing challenges faced by persons with disabilities—align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
The presidential aide acknowledged that despite progress, persons with disabilities in Nigeria still face significant challenges, including limited access to justice, discrimination, physical barriers, and socio-economic exclusion.
He highlighted the important role of lawyers with disabilities in driving inclusive legal reforms, advocating for enforcement of disability rights, and serving as role models to younger generations.
Abba Isa further outlined key areas of collaboration between his office and the NBA-LWDF. These include nationwide awareness campaigns on the Disability Act, legal advocacy and strategic litigation, capacity-building programmes for legal practitioners and law enforcement agencies, and mentorship initiatives for young lawyers with disabilities.
Other proposed areas of cooperation include improving accessibility in courtrooms and justice delivery systems, supporting research and data collection on disability issues, promoting inclusive employment within the legal sector, and undertaking public campaigns to combat stigma.
In her remarks, Barr. Patience Etumudon said the visit was partly to appreciate the SSA for attending the 2025 NBA-LWDF National Conference held in Asaba, Delta State, noting that his presence added value to discussions at the event.
She reiterated the Forum’s commitment to continuous advocacy for disability inclusion, acknowledging progress made while stressing that much work remains to be done.
Etumudon said the Forum is seeking stronger collaboration with government institutions to address persistent challenges such as inaccessible workplaces, exclusion in education, healthcare, employment, and public service.
She also emphasized the need for financial support to prosecute cases of discrimination against persons with disabilities, revealing that the Forum is currently handling such a case.
According to her, partnerships between stakeholders will help build a more inclusive society where opportunities are based on merit rather than connections.
