The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has reaffirmed the need for reliable and accurate data on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), describing it as essential to effective government planning, inclusive development and improved service delivery across Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, made this known at a Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop on the Revised Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the National Disability Management Information System (NDMIS) Data Collection Tools held in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Aliyu Agwai, Gufwan said credible disability data would help government institutions and development partners better understand the needs of PWDs, identify gaps in existing services, design targeted interventions and assess the impact of policies and programmes intended to improve their quality of life.
He explained that the Commission was developing the NDMIS as a central platform for harmonising disability-related information across the country, noting that the effectiveness of the initiative would depend largely on the quality, relevance and accuracy of the data collected.
According to him, establishing a centralised information system would not, on its own, resolve existing data challenges unless the information generated was useful for policy formulation, institutional planning and evidence-based decision-making.
Gufwan also urged participants to critically review the revised performance indicators, emphasising that departmental KPIs must reflect actual responsibilities, measure institutional achievements and provide a credible basis for accountability.
He cautioned against treating the documents as mere administrative requirements, describing them instead as practical instruments for evaluating institutional performance, strengthening accountability and improving decision-making within the Commission.
The Executive Secretary called on stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the validation process to ensure that the final documents reflected shared priorities and received broad acceptance. He also acknowledged the contributions of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners and other organisations supporting the Commission’s work.
In his opening remarks, the Country Director of Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Mr. Samuel Omoi, expressed appreciation for the commitment and resilience demonstrated by participants, describing the workshop as an important step towards addressing the longstanding challenge of inadequate disability data.
Omoi observed that the absence of accurate information on PWDs had continued to undermine effective development planning and the implementation of inclusive programmes. However, he expressed optimism that the collaborative efforts underpinning the NDMIS initiative would help bridge existing information gaps.
He urged stakeholders to take ownership of the process, describing it as a historic opportunity to strengthen disability inclusion through credible information. He also encouraged participants to support public awareness and sensitisation efforts to promote understanding and acceptance of the initiative.
Similarly, the representative of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Mr. Gboyega Alesinloye, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting relevant interventions and expressed hope that the outcome of the workshop would contribute meaningfully to national development.
The representative of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Olushola Omorawaiye, described the initiative as a significant milestone towards establishing credible disability data in Nigeria.
He highlighted NIMC’s readiness to support the process through personnel training in data collection and pledged the Commission’s collaboration with NCPWD to ensure that the information generated was accurate and acceptable.
Other participating institutions, including the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Women Affairs, and Education, as well as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), National Population Commission (NPC), HISP Nigeria and GIZ, also reaffirmed the importance of reliable disability data for effective planning and programme implementation.
The stakeholders pledged to work with NCPWD to advance the objectives of the initiative and strengthen the availability of disability-related information for national development.
A major highlight of the workshop was a presentation by Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, who provided an overview of the National Disability Management Information System and outlined the objectives of the exercise. The presentation was followed by the adoption of the NDMIS by participating stakeholders.
In his closing remarks, Agwai appreciated the participating MDAs, development partners, particularly CBM, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the workshop.
He also commended NCPWD staff for their dedication and commitment to advancing the Commission’s mandate.
The development of a coordinated national disability information system is expected to strengthen the availability of evidence for disability-inclusive policymaking, helping government and relevant institutions identify the needs of PWDs, monitor interventions, and make more informed decisions.
