The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusion, economic empowerment and equal opportunities for young Nigerians with disabilities as the world marks International Youth Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, said this year’s United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” offers an opportunity to recognise the diverse realities of young people while highlighting the aspirations they share, including dignity, independence, economic empowerment and meaningful participation in society.
Gufwan noted that young persons with disabilities in Nigeria continue to encounter barriers in accessing inclusive education, employment, digital skills and accessible infrastructure.
He said these challenges are often intensified by poverty, climate-related displacement and inadequate infrastructure, particularly for young people living in rural and underserved communities.
According to him, overcoming these barriers requires deliberate policies, effective implementation and stronger collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, civil society organisations, development partners and local communities.
The NCPWD Executive Secretary said the Commission, under his leadership, remains committed to ensuring that disability inclusion becomes an integral part of Nigeria’s broader development agenda.
He added that the Commission’s efforts are consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the areas of social inclusion, economic empowerment and equitable access to public services and opportunities.
Gufwan stressed that advancing disability inclusion should not be viewed as the responsibility of the NCPWD alone. He called on individuals, institutions and communities across Nigeria to contribute to building a society where young persons with disabilities can participate fully and contribute meaningfully to national development.
While acknowledging improvements in disability awareness, policy development, assistive technology and accessible infrastructure, he said significant gaps remain, particularly in enforcement, sustainable funding, policy implementation and changing negative societal attitudes towards disability.
He also commended young Nigerians with disabilities for their resilience, creativity and ingenuity, noting that many continue to develop innovative solutions despite operating in difficult and resource-constrained environments.
From adaptive agricultural tools to assistive digital applications, Gufwan said the innovations being developed by young persons with disabilities demonstrate their potential to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s social and economic development.
He therefore urged government institutions, businesses and development partners to increase investment in grassroots innovation, education, skills development and entrepreneurship programmes targeted at young persons with disabilities.
Such investments, he said, would help create pathways to self-reliance while enabling young people with disabilities to participate more actively in the economy.
Gufwan emphasised that the aspirations of young Nigerians with disabilities are fundamentally the same as those of other young people: to access opportunities, live with dignity, achieve independence and contribute to their communities.
He called for collective action to dismantle the barriers that continue to limit these opportunities.
He reaffirmed that with sustained investment, shared responsibility and a genuine commitment to inclusion, Nigeria can turn the aspirations of its young people into tangible opportunities and ensure that every young Nigerian, regardless of disability, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
