By Abbas Nazil
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has intensified regional efforts to promote disability inclusion with the formal handover of assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria as part of a wider programme aimed at improving access to assistive technology across West Africa.
The initiative, carried out under the ECOWAS Regional Programme for the Provision of Assistive Devices for Children with Disabilities, is part of a phased rollout that also includes Togo as an early beneficiary following nearly two years of planning and coordination.
Officials said the programme is designed not only to distribute equipment but also to strengthen national systems, promote local production, and ensure sustainable access to assistive technologies for persons with disabilities across member states.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, described the intervention as one of the most significant moments in his career, stressing that assistive devices restore dignity, independence, and opportunity.
He said that “there is ability in disability,” noting that with the right support systems and appropriate devices, persons with disabilities can fully participate in education, employment, and community life.
Gufwan revealed that Nigeria has more than 26 million persons with disabilities who require assistive technology, while an estimated nine out of ten individuals in need still lack access to such devices due to cost, supply shortages, and weak service delivery systems.
He explained that behind the statistics are children unable to attend school, adults excluded from jobs, and families struggling to access rehabilitation services due to lack of mobility and communication support tools.
To address these challenges, he announced that the Commission has established a dedicated Assistive Devices and Technology Unit to coordinate national efforts and improve collaboration with development partners.
He also disclosed the development of key policy instruments, including the Nigerian Priority Assistive Products List, an investment framework for assistive technology, and a National Assistive Technology Scale-up Plan aimed at expanding nationwide access.
Gufwan emphasized that assistive devices are only effective when matched correctly to individual needs, adding that the new framework will strengthen assessment, procurement, and delivery systems to ensure proper allocation.
He further called for stronger partnerships between government, civil society, healthcare professionals, and the private sector to scale up access and improve sustainability of assistive technology programmes.
The Executive Secretary also advocated for the establishment of local manufacturing and assembly plants for assistive devices, arguing that domestic production would reduce dependence on imports, lower costs, improve availability, and create employment opportunities.
Representing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Barnard Doro’s senior aide reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to disability inclusion, describing the initiative as part of a broader social protection and poverty reduction strategy.
He said the intervention goes beyond humanitarian aid, adding that it represents dignity restored, independence regained, and opportunities reopened for persons with disabilities.
The official urged transparent and equitable distribution of the devices, while encouraging development partners to increase investment in disability inclusion and assistive technology across the country.
Earlier, officials from ECOWAS said the programme was informed by a 2024 regional disability study that revealed severe shortages in access to assistive technology across West Africa, particularly among children.
They noted that approximately 240 million children globally live with disabilities, while about 15 percent of children in West and Central Africa are affected by one form of disability or another.
ECOWAS further explained that the programme aligns with Vision 2050, which promotes a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous regional community anchored on human rights and sustainable development.
The initiative also supports the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognises accessibility as a fundamental human right essential for equality and participation.
Officials added that future phases of the programme will expand to more member states, strengthen disability data collection, and promote local production of assistive devices through strategic partnerships.
They stressed that disability inclusion has become a central pillar of ECOWAS’ regional development agenda, marking a shift toward a more people-centred approach to integration.
The programme is also expected to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals by reducing inequality and ensuring that no child is left behind in access to education and opportunity.
For ECOWAS and Nigeria, the initiative signals a growing regional commitment to removing barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from fully participating in society.
