UN Urges Nigeria to Include Persons with Disabilities in Climate Action

 

By Atlantic Reports

The United Nations has urged the Federal Government to turn disability inclusion into practical measures across Nigeria’s climate policies, financing and green economy, addressing barriers that can leave persons with disabilities exposed during climate emergencies.

Speaking at the National Summit on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action in Abuja, Nneka Okafor, Chair of the UN Disability-Inclusion Technical Working Group, said access to information, essential services and emergency support must be central to climate planning.

Okafor, who represented the UN Resident Coordinator, called for action beyond conferences and policy statements.

“We need inclusive policies and accessible solutions, not just to talk and meet. Let us walk the talk as a people and as a nation,” she said.

Organised by the Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI), the summit brought together government representatives, development partners, disability advocates and civil society organisations.

Its theme, “From Belém Commitments to COP31 Implementation: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Climate Action in Nigeria”, focused discussions on translating climate commitments into practical inclusion ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties.

Accessible Warnings, Shelters and Support

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan, said flooding, drought, extreme weather, food insecurity and displacement posed greater risks when evacuation routes, shelters and relief services were inaccessible.

Represented by the commission’s Head of Education, Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, Gufwan called for accessible early-warning systems, inclusive emergency preparedness and climate financing that addressed disability-related needs.

He also urged the use of reliable data, meaningful participation and clear accountability mechanisms, saying legal obligations should guide the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and public services.

The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Tenioye Majekodunmi, similarly called for persons with disabilities to participate in climate dialogue, policy development, adaptation planning and implementation.

Represented by Saadatu Madaki, an official of the council, Majekodunmi identified barriers to early warnings, emergency responses, clean energy and green employment.

She said disability inclusion should be an integral part of Nigeria’s climate agenda rather than an afterthought.

Participation Beyond Beneficiary Status

GDGI President Angelina Ugben said persons with disabilities should help shape climate interventions, rather than be treated solely as recipients of assistance.

“Persons with disabilities must not merely be beneficiaries; they must be active participants, leaders, innovators and decision-makers,” she said.

Ugben said barriers to education, climate information, finance and employment continued to limit participation despite the contributions persons with disabilities could make to climate solutions.

She identified accessible green jobs, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture and resilient communities as areas in which the summit sought to advance practical interventions.

For households and workers, the issues extend beyond environmental protection to whether people can receive warnings, reach safety, maintain livelihoods and access support after a disaster.

Christian Blind Mission Nigeria Country Director Samuel Omoi said climate shocks could deepen existing inequalities and affect access to food, water, shelter, education, healthcare and mobility.

Represented by the organisation’s humanitarian coordinator and technical specialist, Fwangshak Guar, Omoi called for disability inclusion in government policies and financial plans.

Measuring Results and Responsibility

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Technology and Innovation, Omamide Fadish, said Nigeria needed to move from commitments to investments and measurable outcomes.

“The success of climate policies should be measured by their impact on people’s lives, employment opportunities created, technologies deployed and resilience built within communities,” he said.

Fadish said COP31 offered an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, mobilise climate finance and demonstrate development outcomes.

Bashiru Daudu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, described inclusion as a civil rights issue rather than charity.

He said amendments to the disability law were ongoing and urged persons with disabilities to understand its provisions so they could engage institutions responsible for implementation. He also called for compliance with accessibility and equal-opportunity requirements.

Participants discussed a proposed Abuja Declaration on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action, which Majekodunmi described as an opportunity to strengthen institutional accountability across climate governance, financing and resilience programmes.

The declaration remains a proposal. The summit account did not set out an agreed funding package, implementation timetable or allocation of responsibilities for the measures discussed.

Supported by the United Nations Development Programme, Christian Blind Mission, the Ministry of Environment, the International Labour Organisation and other partners, the summit is expected to develop recommendations and strengthen collaboration.

Its practical value will depend on whether those recommendations lead to accessible services, funded programmes and a meaningful role for persons with disabilities in climate decisions.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.