The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) has called on the Kano State Government to urgently establish the long-awaited Commission for Persons with Disabilities, following the release of new data showing that about 2.5 million people living in the state have one form of disability or another.
The group made the call after the unveiling of the Assumptive Data of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), which highlights the scale and diversity of disability across the country.
In a statement signed on Saturday by the Coordinator of V-PeSDI, Aftahana Dahiru Sarina, reaffirmed V-PeSDI’s readiness to collaborate with government institutions, civil society groups, development partners, and the disability community to promote inclusive policies and ensure that persons with disabilities in Kano State are not left behind.
According to the data, persons with physical disabilities represent the largest group nationwide at about 8.2 million, followed by those with hearing impairments estimated at 7.7 million, and persons with visual impairments at approximately 7.2 million.
Other clusters include individuals affected by leprosy, albinism, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disabilities, deaf-blindness, and persons of little stature.
The figures, according to V-PeSDI, underscore the widespread and diverse nature of disability in Nigeria and the urgent need for coordinated institutional responses by governments at all levels.
Despite the enactment of disability legislation in Kano State aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, the organization noted that the absence of a functional State Commission for Persons with Disabilities has continued to limit effective implementation of the law.
Without a dedicated institution responsible for enforcement, coordination, and oversight, the group said many of the protections and opportunities provided in the law remain largely unfulfilled.
V-PeSDI explained that the delay in establishing the commission has contributed to several persistent challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the state.
These include the inaccessibility of many public buildings, healthcare facilities, and transportation systems to people with mobility and sensory impairments.
The group also observed that many health facilities lack essential accessibility features such as ramps, appropriate sanitation facilities, and trained personnel capable of effectively supporting persons with disabilities.
In the education sector, the organization noted that inadequate inclusive teaching methods and the shortage of assistive learning materials continue to hinder the participation of children and young persons with disabilities in schools.
Economic exclusion also remains a major concern, the group said, noting that many persons with disabilities struggle to access employment opportunities, vocational training, and entrepreneurship support due to the absence of a strong institutional framework promoting disability inclusion.
“These barriers often reinforce cycles of poverty and social marginalization among persons with disabilities,” the organization stated.
V-PeSDI further expressed concern over the limited representation of persons with disabilities in policy-making processes, explaining that the absence of a commission denies the disability community a formal platform to engage government institutions and demand accountability.
The organization emphasized that with an estimated 2.5 million persons with disabilities in Kano State, the establishment of the commission is no longer optional but a critical step toward inclusive governance and sustainable development.
According to the group, a functional commission would serve as the central institution responsible for monitoring compliance with disability laws, coordinating disability-inclusive policies across government ministries, promoting accessibility standards, facilitating employment inclusion, and strengthening the participation of persons with disabilities in governance.
Beyond protecting rights, the group added that inclusive policies could unlock the economic potential of persons with disabilities, reduce dependency, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure that development efforts leave no one behind.
V-PeSDI therefore urged the Kano State Government to prioritize the immediate establishment and operationalization of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities in line with the state’s disability law and its commitment to inclusive development.
“As the disability population in Kano continues to gain recognition and visibility, the time to act is now,” the group said, noting that establishing the commission would demonstrate the state government’s commitment to protecting the dignity, rights, and full participation of all citizens.
