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Summary
Adaobi Chuma-Okeke advocates for better accessibility and equal opportunities for Nigerians with disabilities, sharing her personal struggles in education. She urges the government to implement existing laws and ensure inclusion in education, employment, and public spaces for all.
Commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Adaobi Chuma-Okeke is advocating for accessibility, equal opportunities, safe mobility, and dignity for all Nigerians living with disabilities. Adaobi, a Nguvu Change Leader, shared a poignant video on social media, recounting her experiences as a person with a disability and calling for urgent action. The viral video sheds light on the struggles faced by people with disabilities in Nigeria.
Confined to a wheelchair, Adaobi reflects on her many struggles in completing her education.
“I finished my studies largely thanks to the help of supportive friends and classmates. I recall being physically carried upstairs to attend classes, and that experience, among many others, has inspired me to campaign for better accessibility in Nigerian schools.”
In her video and accompanying petition, Adaobi urges the Ministry of Education and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to take meaningful, concrete steps. She stresses that while laws and policies exist, such as the Disability Rights Act, they have yet to be effectively implemented, leaving many institutions inaccessible.
“Promises, policies, and laws must result in tangible changes. If every school – from primary to tertiary – had proper ramps and/or elevators, it would open up opportunities for countless children with disabilities to access their education. I’ve risked injury, endured great pain, and sacrificed comfort in my pursuit of learning, and I want to remove the barriers that prevent others from fully participating in their education.”
Adaobi’s message resonates with the theme of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” This theme aligns with the global disability rights movement’s slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us,” advocating for greater representation, agency, and inclusivity in all spheres of life. It calls for accessible public buildings, transportation systems, and services, but also for meaningful changes to the daily lives of disabled people.
The accessibility issue is pressing, but it is not the only challenge the disability community in Nigeria faces. Beyond the physical barriers to education and public spaces, people with disabilities often encounter widespread societal discrimination and stigma. Many Nigerians with disabilities struggle to find employment, as employers are either unaware of their legal obligations or are unwilling to make the necessary adjustments. The Disability Rights Act may exist on paper, but in practice, it is not consistently enforced, and disabled people continue to face exclusion in both the workplace and public life. Moreover, there is a lack of awareness and training on disability rights among the general public and government officials, which exacerbates the difficulties faced by people with disabilities.
Adaobi’s call to action includes not only a demand for wheelchair-accessible infrastructure in educational institutions but also a broader push for inclusion in all public spaces, transport systems, and services. She highlights the need for more comprehensive policies that promote equal employment opportunities, social inclusion, and improved healthcare for people with disabilities. The need for dignity and respect for all Nigerians, regardless of their physical condition, is urgent.
Her viral video and the ongoing online discussion reflect a growing recognition of the systemic barriers faced by millions of Nigerians living with disabilities. As a result, there is increasing pressure on the government and private sector to take immediate and meaningful action to remove these obstacles and build a truly inclusive society.
Editor’s note: This story was first published by BO News Service.
