The Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to prioritize the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in all of its programmes. The House has also called for a comprehensive review of the National Social Register to ensure that PWDs are duly accommodated.
This call comes as a result of the adoption of a motion titled “Urgent Need for Specific Recognition of Persons With Disabilities in Poverty Alleviation Programs” under Order 8, Rule 4 of the House of Representatives Rules. The motion, introduced by the honorable member, Bashiru Ayinla Dawodu, highlighted the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018, which was signed into law by former President Muhammed Buhari in 2019.
In addition to the existing legislation, the motion recognized the efforts made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who ratified the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disability in Africa on October 19, 2023. The Federal Executive Council has also approved the establishment of a Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund, with an annual budget of $5 billion.
The House expressed its concern regarding the recently launched “Renewal Hope Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT)” programme by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which failed to include provisions for PWDs, thereby violating the Disability Act 2018. Under this programme, N1 trillion will be transferred to 15 million households, with each household receiving N25,000.
In addition, the House highlighted that most poverty alleviation initiatives carried out by state governments across the country often overlook the needs and rights of PWDs. This exclusion perpetuates the cycle of poverty and exacerbates socio-economic inequality in Nigeria.
Consequently, the House has resolved to call upon all state and local governments in Nigeria to include Persons with Disabilities in every poverty alleviation programme and ensure their full and equal participation.
