Bayelsa State has joined 25 other states across Nigeria that have enacted disability rights legislation following Governor Douye Diri’s signing of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Bill into law.
The development makes Bayelsa the 26th state in the federation to domesticate legal protections for persons living with disabilities, marking a significant milestone in the state’s drive for inclusion and equal rights.
Governor Diri assented to the landmark legislation on Wednesday during the 188th State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, describing it as a “profound” and “people-oriented” law that guarantees dignity, equal opportunity, accessibility, and fair treatment for all residents regardless of physical condition.
With the new law, Bayelsa becomes one of the Nigerian states that have domesticated disability rights protections aimed at promoting inclusion and eliminating barriers faced by persons living with disabilities.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor commended the sponsor of the bill, Dr. Charles Daniel, who represents Brass Constituency I in the State House of Assembly, for his persistence and commitment to the cause.
According to Diri, the legislation ranks among the most impactful laws passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
“I had directed the Deputy Governor, when he was the Chief of Staff, to initiate an Executive Bill that would take care of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities. I was later informed that there was already a private member’s bill sponsored by Dr. Daniel, and so I directed the executive arm to work with him. That is the product we have today,” the governor said.
“For me, this is one of the best pieces of legislation that has come out of the State House of Assembly. I commend members of the Assembly and the hardworking Speaker for giving prompt attention to this bill and passing it with remarkable speed.”
Governor Diri noted that the legislation would address the longstanding exclusion of persons with disabilities from public and private infrastructure planning, including transportation systems, parking facilities, and public buildings.
“We often build houses and public infrastructure without considering entrances and parking spaces for our brothers and sisters with disabilities,” he said.
The governor added that his administration had already implemented several interventions to support persons with disabilities even before the law was enacted, stressing that governance should be measured not only by physical projects but also by social inclusion and human development.
Earlier, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, disclosed that the bill was first read on October 15, 2024, and passed after its third reading on March 18, 2026.
He explained that the law provides for the establishment of a Persons with Disabilities Agency, headed by a part-time chairman appointed by the governor and a Director-General who must be a person living with a disability.
According to Ingobere, the agency will be responsible for ensuring accessibility in public transportation, parking lots, government buildings, and other public facilities.
He further revealed that one out of every ten seats in public buses would be reserved for persons with disabilities, while designated and clearly marked parking spaces would also be provided for them.
Speaking on behalf of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Bayelsa State Chapter, its chairman, Mayor Doutiminariye, praised Governor Diri for what he described as a historic achievement.
He said the governor had consistently demonstrated commitment to the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities since assuming office and thanked him for signing the bill into law, describing the move as a “miracle” for the disability community in the state.
The new legislation is expected to significantly strengthen protection, accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities across Bayelsa State.
