The Department of People with Special Needs, domiciled in the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, is preparing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for a state-wide data collection exercise.
The initiative aims to build a comprehensive database that will guide inclusive policies, evidence-based planning, and equitable resource allocation for PWDs across the state.
Speaking at a recent sensitisation workshop on PWDs data collection, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hon. Amina Abdullahi, described the exercise as timely, noting that it aligns with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, which prioritises the welfare of women, children, and persons with special needs.
“Without accurate data, we cannot embark on meaningful projects that address the needs of vulnerable groups. This initiative will ensure that government interventions are guided by evidence, fairness, and inclusivity,” she said.
She added that the sensitisation workshop is part of the government’s broader efforts to institutionalise inclusivity and improve social protection for PWDs.
Hon. Amina also highlighted achievements of the ministry under the current administration, including food support to 500 needy families during the International Day of Families, empowerment of over 1,000 women during International Women’s Day, and provision of school bags and books to 500 children during International Children’s Day.
She further disclosed government approval for the upgrade of Gyadi-Gyadi Women Development Centre, the State Diversion Centre, and the Female Reformatory Institute in Gaya, as well as the construction of a Transit Centre in the same area.
Dr Binta Bala, Director of the Department of People with Special Needs, stressed that the enumeration exercise will ensure no PWD is left behind.
“Planning for PWDs must be evidence-based. With this database, empowerment initiatives will reach beneficiaries directly, reducing complaints of exclusion and marginalisation.
“This exercise will enable more inclusion in the state polices and also act as an advisory to the government of issues pertaining to PWDs”, she explained.
She further noted that the ministry is working toward the establishment of a PWD Commission in the state, adding that the commission would institutionalise inclusive policies and ensure sustainable support for people with disabilities.
The Statistician-General of the Kano State Bureau of Statistics, Dr Aliyu Isa, pointed out that Kano currently lacks a comprehensive database of PWDs to guide social protection and development planning.
He said the exercise will use multiple approaches, including enumerator-based household registration, self-registration via digital platforms, integration with administrative records, community-driven registration, facility-based registration, and partnerships with disability associations.
On his part, the State Director of the National Population Commission (NPC), Baba Kabir Balarabe, emphasised that the exercise is critical to strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems.
“This will not only aid research and policy but also promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, ensuring that no PWD is left behind,” he said.
