In February 2025, a Pre Global Disability Summit (GDS) meeting was held, setting the stage for Nigeria’s commitments to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in the country. This meeting was pivotal in gathering insights and recommendations that would ultimately inform Nigeria’s participation in the GDS held in Berlin in April 2025. The GDS is a significant international event that brings together stakeholders from around the world to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The GDS serves as a platform for countries to make pledges aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities, addressing barriers to inclusion, and fostering a supportive environment for sustainable development. For OPDs in Nigeria, the GDS represents a critical opportunity to advocate for necessary changes, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are prioritized in national policies and frameworks.
In this context, JONAPWD convened a strategic workshop aimed at advancing Nigeria’s commitments from the 2025 GDS. Supported by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), the workshop brought together various stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, and disability advocates.
The primary objectives of the workshop included:
- Enhancing Stakeholder Knowledge: Participants engaged in discussions to deepen their understanding of Nigeria’s commitments made during the GDS.
- Co-Creating a National Action Plan: Collaboratively, stakeholders worked on developing a comprehensive National Action Plan that will effectively track and integrate these commitments into existing national frameworks.
During the workshop, participants engaged in the following activities:
- Review of GDS 2025 Commitments: A thorough review of the commitments made by Nigeria during the GDS was conducted, ensuring clarity on the expectations and responsibilities that come with them.
- Action Plan Development: Groups worked together to outline a detailed action plan that specifies actionable steps for tracking progress on the commitments, setting measurable goals, and identifying responsible parties.
- Advocacy Strategy Design: Participants designed an advocacy strategy aimed at sustaining momentum and highlighting key milestones over time. This strategy is essential for ensuring that the commitments made are not only fulfilled but also recognized and celebrated.
