Stakeholders have called for stronger implementation strategies and accountability mechanisms to advance disability-inclusive economic empowerment across Nigeria.
The appeal was made during a policy dialogue in Abuja focused on translating commitments into measurable outcomes.
The second dialogue was organized by Empower to Thrive Development Initiative (ETTDI) under its Empower Her Ability Project, with support from the Embassy of France to Nigeria. It brought together government officials, development partners, and disability rights advocates.
Participants recalled that the first dialogue in 2025 recommended establishing dedicated desks in banks and financial institutions to improve access to micro-credit and tailored financial services for persons with disabilities nationwide.
Dr. Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, emphasized the need to prioritize economic empowerment, education, and accessibility—particularly for women with disabilities—to enhance their independence, leadership capacity, and meaningful participation in national development.
Mohammed Abba-Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, stressed that Nigeria must shift “from policy to measurable impact, from commitment to transformation.”
“Nigeria’s prosperity will be stronger, deeper, and more sustainable when women with disabilities are fully included in our economic journey,” he said.
He also urged the removal of barriers and discrimination that limit their participation.
Olusola Adeoye, Programme Manager of ETTDI, highlighted the importance of coordinated policies, effective monitoring frameworks, and increased investment to ensure persons with disabilities benefit meaningfully from economic empowerment programmes nationwide.
“Through the Empower Her Ability Project, ETTDI continues to play a catalytic role in advancing disability-inclusive economic empowerment in Nigeria,” she said.
“By combining capacity building, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships, the initiative seeks to ensure that women with disabilities are equipped, supported, and positioned to actively participate,” Adeoye added.
Pierre-Louis Bonnel of the French Embassy reaffirmed France’s continued support for initiatives addressing the challenges faced by women with disabilities and promoting inclusive economic participation through sustained partnerships and targeted development interventions.
Dr. Ima Chima, ETTDI Board Chairman, noted that one in five Nigerian women lives with a disability, while up to 90 per cent live below the international poverty line.
She added that only about two per cent of entrepreneurs with disabilities access formal financial services, underscoring persistent structural barriers that limit economic inclusion and growth opportunities nationwide.
“These are not just statistics; they represent women whose talents are underutilized, whose businesses remain underfunded, and whose aspirations are constrained by structural barriers,” she said.
Dr. Chima explained that the Empower Her Ability Project serves as an inclusive incubator, supporting women aged 18 to 40 through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and improved access to financial resources.
“While we build individual capacity, we recognize that capacity alone is insufficient if systems remain exclusionary,” she said.
“That is why policy advocacy and ecosystem reform are central to our approach.”
The dialogue reflects a growing national push to move beyond policy commitments toward concrete, inclusive action—ensuring women and persons with disabilities are not left behind in Nigeria’s economic transformation and development agenda.
