Ayuba Gufwan, executive secretary of NCPWD
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Ability Life Initiative (TALI) Foundation in Abuja.
The collaboration, inked on September 10, 2025, seeks to promote disability inclusion and champion the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
Ayuba Gufwan, executive secretary of NCPWD; and Prada Uzodimma, co-founder of the TALI foundation; attended the signing ceremony at the NCPWD headquarters in Abuja.
Gufwan described the partnership as a “marriage of purpose” and reiterated that the MoU “must translate into practical steps that remove barriers and expand opportunities for persons with disabilities”.
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He added that while the Disability Act is a progressive law, its success requires “every hand on deck”.
Gufwan also restated that inclusion is a fundamental human right, not a favour, and called on all sectors to work together to uphold the dignity of Nigeria’s over 35.5 million PWDs.
Uzodimma expressed her gratitude, noting that the commission had supported the foundation since its inception.
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“This MoU is not the end but the beginning of bigger initiatives, as we walk side by side with NCPWD to bridge the gap for persons with disabilities in Nigeria,” she said.
The co-founder added that the foundation’s work is based on five pillars — accessible housing, transportation, healthcare, mental wellbeing, and advocacy — all of which align with the Disability Act.
A key initiative under the partnership is the First Lady’s ‘Stakeholder Forum on Disability Inclusion’ scheduled for November.
The forum will bring together various stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the Disability Act at subnational level.
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