The Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation is set to host a public policy forum on disability inclusion on Wednesday, December 3, as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In a statement on Saturday, the Foundation said the event is being organised in partnership with the office of the deputy speaker of the house of representatives, alongside the Australian High Commission, Christian Aid, IREDE Foundation, Inclusive Friends Association, Cedar Seed Foundation, and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
According to the statement, the forum—titled “Valuable, driven, capable: Advancing workplace inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigeria”—will take place at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The organisers said the discussion is timely, coming after the expiration of the five-year moratorium on compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which now requires organisations nationwide to meet mandatory standards.
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“Following the expiration of the five-year moratorium on compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, organisations across Nigeria are now legally required to comply with its key provisions,” the statement reads.
The provisions, according to the statement, include a five percent employment quota for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and workplace accessibility standards.
The statement said George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), will serve as the special guest of honour at the event.
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Vivian Emehelu, director of programmes and administration at the Yar’Adua Foundation, said the conversation will focus on practical strategies to accelerate workplace inclusion.
She said the forum aims to shift perceptions of disability from charity to rights and capability, while spotlighting the skills, innovation and resilience of Nigerians with disabilities.
Emehelu added that the event aligns with the Foundation’s mission to advance human rights, social justice and inclusive development, and will deepen collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society and international partners.
She noted that the forum will attract ambassadors, lawmakers, senior government officials, development partners, business leaders and disability rights advocates.
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