By Faridat Salifu
As Nigeria prepares for on the onset of rainy season, persons living with disabilities continue to face significant vulnerability to climate hazards such as floods, heatwaves, and storms, experts warn.
Verified reports from advocacy groups, disaster monitoring agencies, and local communities indicate that limited mobility, inaccessible infrastructure, and gaps in disaster preparedness place this population at a disproportionate risk even before the onset of extreme weather events.
In many flood-prone communities across Kogi, Sokoto, and Bayelsa States, early assessments reveal that pathways, evacuation routes, and shelters remain largely inaccessible to people with mobility, visual, or hearing impairments.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities notes that persons with wheelchairs, walking aids, or sensory impairments often rely on neighbours or caregivers during climate emergencies.
“Even before the rains, the roads and public spaces are challenging for those with limited mobility. When hazards like flooding occur, the risks multiply,” a spokesperson for the Centre explained.
Field observations in Gangam, Sokoto State, show that community access routes are uneven, unpaved, and prone to obstruction by debris, making movement difficult even under dry conditions.
A wheelchair user living in the area is exposed to the risk of been able to quickly move on the roads because of the mud and lack of drainage. Even before floods, we struggle to access schools, clinics, and markets.”
In addition to mobility issues, disability advocates highlight that early warning systems often fail to reach persons with hearing or visual impairments.
Public announcements via radio or town criers do not always include sign language interpretation or visual alerts, leaving many uninformed in the event of imminent hazards.
The Nigeria Red Cross Society confirmed that, in Kogi State, their pre-positioned relief supplies have begun prioritising households with vulnerable members but acknowledged that systematic inclusion in disaster planning remains limited.
Beyond physical mobility, climate hazards exacerbate social and economic inequities for persons with disabilities.
Limited access to education, employment, and social networks can reduce the capacity of these communities to prepare for hazards.
In Bayelsa State, advocacy groups documented instances where households with disabled members were unable to secure sufficient resources, such as sandbags or safe storage for critical supplies, ahead of potential flooding.
Experts note that climate vulnerability is compounded by pre-existing poverty, poor urban planning, and weak infrastructure.
“Disability-inclusive climate action is not just a moral imperative; it’s a practical one. Communities that plan for all members are more resilient overall. Ignoring the needs of persons with disabilities weakens the collective response to climate hazards,” a climate governance specialist explained.
Advocates and specialists have interevene recommend several proactive strategies to enhance resilience.
Evacuation routes and shelters should be accessible and accommodate wheelchairs, walking aids, and other mobility needs.
Early warning systems should combine auditory, visual, and digital alerts to reach people with sensory impairments.
Community-based disaster drills should engage persons with disabilities to identify gaps and test emergency response plans.
Essential relief items, including water, food, hygiene kits, and mobility aids, should be pre-positioned for vulnerable households.
State and local governments should embed disability inclusion into climate adaptation frameworks, infrastructure planning, and humanitarian response protocols.
Preparedness initiatives from other regions illustrate the value of inclusion.
In northern Nigeria, pilot projects by disability advocacy groups have successfully tested early warning systems with visual and mobile alerts, ensuring that Deaf and visually impaired residents receive timely information.
These interventions reduced response times during minor flood events and improved access to relief resources.
As climate variability increases across Nigeria, the evidence underscores a critical point: persons with disabilities cannot be overlooked in climate planning.
Inclusive approaches protect vulnerable populations, strengthen overall community resilience, improve disaster outcomes, and align with broader climate justice objectives.
Verified experiences from Sokoto, Kogi, and Bayelsa States illustrate the urgency: proactive, inclusive, and accessible disaster preparedness is essential to prevent disproportionate harm to persons with disabilities during Nigeria’s climate shocks.