Promoting The Implementation of Disability Law In Ogun State
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote the implementation of disability law in Ogun State, SCIAN, with funding from the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) held a 2-Day Workshop was held in February 2025 in Abeokuta, the state capital, to review the 2017 Disability Law enacted under the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosu but which the present administration refused to implement.
The Workshop brought together all disability clusters to review the 2017 law clause by clause under the guidance of an inclusion expert and legal practitioner, Yusuf Iyodo. The document represents the views of the disability community to guide the government in amending the law.
Armed with suggested amendments, an advocacy team of disability cluster heads and selected members embarked on visits to key government ministries and traditional leadership. These visits aimed to foster collaboration, solicit support for the amendment and implementation of the 2017 Disability Law, and enhance awareness on issues affecting persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
Visit To The Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development
Upon arrival at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adewale, warmly welcomed our delegation. The National President of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), Mr. Abdulwahab Matepo, led the advocacy team in briefing the ministry about our activities in Ogun State. He provided insights into a recent workshop organized to review the 2017 Disability Law, incorporating perspectives from all disability clusters in the state. He passionately urged the ministry to facilitate the amendment and implementation of the law to better reflect the needs and rights of PWDs.
In response, the Honorable Commissioner, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, outlined her ministry’s commitment to uplifting the disability community. She emphasized the government’s dedication to passing a robust and implementable law that ensures inclusivity and equity. She also informed the team that the state government was working on a Discrimination, Equity, and Inclusion Law, which is currently at the State House of Assembly. IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials were presented to the ministry officials to further aid awareness.
Visit To The Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development
The advocacy team also visited the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Given the ministry’s critical role in ensuring accessibility, the delegation presented its advocacy requests, emphasizing the importance of inclusive physical infrastructure for PWDs.
The Permanent Secretary Mr. Shakirudeen Salaam acknowledged the concerns raised and reiterated that all stakeholders should be driven by humanity in doing the needful. He emphasized the need for increased awareness on disability issues and assured the advocacy team that the ministry is committed to supporting the cause of PWDs. The meeting was also attended by the Director of Urban Development and the Director of Physical Planning. The team presented IEC materials to the ministry officials to aid their understanding and advocacy for inclusive development.
Visit To The Olowu of Owu Palace
The advocacy team equally paid a courtesy visit to the Olowu of Owu, HRM, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, Oluyalo Otileta VII. During the visit, the SCIAN National President briefed the royal father on the purpose of the advocacy, emphasizing the urgent need for the implementation of the disability law.
Chief Abiodun Lasile, the Orunto of Owu, expressed his delight at the visit. He acknowledged the existence of the disability law and expressed optimism that the implementation of the law would soon become a reality. In his response, the Olowu of Owu commended the advocacy team for their efforts and pledged his support in ensuring the necessary connections are made to achieve their objectives in no distant time. The team presented IEC materials to the Kabiyesi as part of their advocacy campaign.
Visit To The State House of Assembly
The Interim National President of SCIAN briefed the lawmakers on the imperative of amending the 2017 Disability Law and in doing so, the views of the disability community should be considered and incorporated. He said it was unfortunate that Ogun was the only state in the South West that was not implementing a disability law. He expressed the hope that the efforts of the disability community to reignite the agitation by suggesting areas of amendments to the 2017 law would receive the blessings of the state House of Assembly.
Responding on behalf of the House, the Hon. Speaker commended the resilience of the disability community and promised that with the initiative taken by the advocacy team led by SCIAN, the House would look thoroughly at the submission brought before it and take necessary steps to remedy the situation. He emphasized that disability is not meant for a particular group of people, as anyone can become disabled at any time. He asserted that every human being has a role to play in advancing the cause of humanity irrespective of whether he was a person with disability or not.
Visit To The Ministry Of Justice
The last port of call was the Ministry of Justice. The team was received by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General in the Ministry, Mr. Olusegun Olaotan.
Mr. Abdulwahab Matepo expressed the dilemma of the disability community in Ogun State who has a disability law without benefiting from its provisions due to non-implementation by government. He lamented that for almost seven years, the government neither implemented the law nor amended it to make it “implementable”. This, he said, led the disability community to organise a 2-Day Workshop, with the support of the Disability Rights Fund, to propose amendments to the 2017 law.
The Solicitor-General commended the approach taken by the disability community to address its opinion and promised that the efforts would not be in vain. He said he was personally conversant with the provisions of the 2017 law as enumerated by Mr. Matepo and that the Ministry of Justice would look at the submission presented and take necessary actions. He promised that the disability community would be carried along in whatever steps the Ministry will take.
The 2017 law, suggested amendments and promotional fliers, posters and stickers were presented to all the officials visited by the SCIAN president.
The advocacy visits to these key stakeholders were highly productive. They provided assurances of collaboration towards the amendment and implementation of the disability law in Ogun State.
