Breaking the Glass Ceiling: JONAPWD Unveils Landmark Assumptive Data on Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria

In a historic move toward evidence-based advocacy, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has officially released its exploratory disaggregated data report.

DOWNLOAD THE ASSUMPTIVE DISAGREGATED DATA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES IN NIGERIA HERE: https://jonapwdng.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-Assumptive-Disability-Disaggregated-Data-2.pdf

The press conference, attended by high-ranking government officials, development partners, and disability rights advocates, marks the end of decades of “conjecture and fragmented information” regarding Nigeria’s disability community.

The report applies global benchmarks to 2025 projections from the National Population Commission, estimating that approximately 35 million Nigerians live with disabilities.

The Power of Numbers

The disaggregated data provides a granular look at the community:

Geographic Density: Kano State leads with 2.5 million Persons with Disabilities, followed by Lagos with 2.1 million.
Cluster Distribution: Physical disability remains the largest cluster (8.2 million), followed by the Deaf community (7.7 million).
Gender Demographics: The report identifies 17.6 million males and 17.2 million females within the community.

Key Voices & Notable Quotes

“For decades, the disability community has operated without reliable, baseline demographic information… Inclusion remains an aspiration rather than an achievable standard without appropriate data.” — National President, JONAPWD (Comrade Abdullahi A. Usman)

The President emphasized that while the report is a vital starting point, gaps remain in data concerning children and invisible disabilities, such as mental health conditions and psychosocial impairments.

“Data is the foundation of effective planning… This document represents a significant milestone for active efforts to advance inclusive development. I will present this database to the government to assist Mr. President in achieving his Renewed Hope agenda.” — Mr. Issa Abba, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities

Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Abba noted that the numerical strength of the disability community (over 35 million) is a formidable force that must be integrated into national success strategies.

“When we talk about data, data is everything. Without data, you cannot plan. If you keep doing empowerment without data, you cannot really tell who you are giving that empowerment to.” — Fatima Abubakar Doki, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)

Ms. Doki applauded JONAPWD for “taking the bull by the horns,” noting that the Commission often faces challenges in providing concrete answers to international visitors due to a lack of a comprehensive national database.

“No agency or organization has come to us before now to seek for this kind of thing. We at the Commission value persons with disabilities… especially those determined to include issues of vulnerability into social strategy.” — Comrade Adeyi Onah Daniel, Secretary to the National Population Commission (NPC)

A Call to Action

The report highlights a critical gender dimension, noting that women with disabilities face multi-layered marginalization, including economic exclusion and cultural silence. Speakers collectively urged the government and development partners to move beyond “visible” impairments and adopt a more “embodied” narrative of disability that includes injuries from road accidents, chronic illnesses, and psychosocial conditions.