The Federal Government has instructed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to fully comply with the mandatory five percent employment quota for persons with disabilities (PWDs), warning that the era of excuses for non-compliance has concluded.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, issued this directive at the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Forum in Abuja. The statement was disseminated through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga.
Represented by Permanent Secretary Nadungu Gagare of the Ministry of Communication, the SGF affirmed that the government has entered a new phase of strict enforcement of disability rights across all sectors. He emphasized that accessibility to public buildings, transport systems, and service channels is now a legal obligation, rather than an act of goodwill.
Akume characterized 2025 as “a historic year” for disability inclusion, noting that the five-year transition period stipulated under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 has expired. Consequently, he asserted that MDAs must demonstrate unequivocal adherence to the law.
“The Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains steadfast in its commitment to building a Nigeria where no one is excluded. Accessibility is no longer optional; it is the law. The era of excuses has concluded,” he stated.
He urged the private sector to champion disability inclusion, asserting that it is not an act of charity but “smart economics” that foster innovation, expand the talent pool, and enhance corporate reputation. “Disability has never signified inability; it simply reflects a different pathway to contribution,” he added.
Akume underscored that PWDs are not seeking sympathy, but rather access, opportunity, and equitable recognition. He observed that they are already contributing to national development as entrepreneurs, technologists, educators, artisans, and public servants.
He delineated three priority actions for national progress: employing qualified PWDs to fulfill the five percent quota; providing accessible tools and work environments; and expanding leadership and enterprise opportunities for PWDs, including support for PWD-owned businesses.
Inclusion must be evident in our budgets, infrastructure, hiring decisions, corporate strategies, and daily interactions. Nigeria cannot achieve full development whilst talent remains unrecognized,” he asserted.
The SGF commended the Office of the Deputy Speaker and the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation for hosting the forum, describing it as opportune as Nigeria transitions into a new era of comprehensive enforcement of disability rights.
