- A Collaborative Effort Between MacArthur Foundation and JONAPWD: As of 2025, the partnership between the MacArthur Foundation and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is making significant strides in enhancing citizens’ engagement, accountability, and social inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. This initiative is actively implemented in Osun, Edo, and Sokoto states, aiming to create a more inclusive political landscape.The project has successfully strengthened institutional frameworks that address governance and accountability mechanisms specifically for persons with disabilities. Through comprehensive national research, the initiative assessed the representation of registered persons with disabilities across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. This research has been pivotal in identifying the barriers that hinder political participation and representation.
Additionally, the project has produced an Easy to Read Disability Law, making essential legal information accessible to all, particularly those with cognitive disabilities. This output has been crucial in empowering individuals with disabilities to understand their rights and the legal frameworks that protect them.
This partnership is not just about research; it is about transforming the landscape for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. By amplifying key issues concerning governance and ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard in political discourse, the project is aiming to create a more inclusive society.
The insights gained from the national research are informing policy recommendations, ensuring that the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are prioritized in governance. Furthermore, the Easy to Read Disability Law is empowering these individuals, enabling them to advocate for their rights and engage more effectively in the political.
The MacArthur Foundation’s collaboration with JONAPWD is a strategic move that leverages the organization’s extensive reach across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. JONAPWD has a proven track record of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and fostering inclusivity in various sectors.
By working together, MacArthur and JONAPWD can ensure that their initiatives resonate at both the grassroots and national levels, maximizing impact. This partnership not only enhances accountability and governance but also builds a robust framework for social inclusion, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
- A Collaborative Effort Between the Disability Rights Fund and JONAPWD: The partnership between the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) is representing a pivotal collaboration aimed at advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. This alliance remains critical not only for fostering advocacy but also for ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities (OfPDs) are effectively integrated into national discourse and policy-making.
One of the standout initiatives of this partnership is the Zonal Constitution Review Adoption. This initiative emphasizes the importance of incorporating the perspectives of persons with disabilities into national constitutional frameworks. By engaging various stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society organizations, the partnership is ensuring that disability rights are adequately represented and protected in legal documents.
Additionally, the National Shadow Report on UNCRPD Compliance serves as a cornerstone of this collaborative effort. This report aims at defining a context-based alternative reporting process for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Nigeria. By establishing a Steering Committee composed of selected OfPDs, the partnership facilitates a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s compliance with the UNCRPD’s key articles. This initiative is crucial for identifying gaps in the implementation of disability rights and for promoting accountability among policymakers.
The partnership also prioritizes the development of methodologies to gauge the acceptability of disability rights initiatives. These methodologies help in tracking progress on a larger scale while encouraging the participation of other representative organizations. By creating a platform for collective advocacy, JONAPWD and DRF are enhancing the visibility of disability issues and fostering a more inclusive dialogue around policy changes.
A significant aspect of this partnership is the Mentorship Programme for Young Women with Disabilities, which falls under the “Holding Rights, Leading for Rights” project. This initiative, implemented in 11 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aims to empower young women with disabilities by developing their leadership skills. The pilot phase of this project has demonstrated the potential for these women to become catalysts for change, enabling them to advocate for their rights effectively.
Furthermore, the Regional Project for Women with Disabilities in West Africa (involving Ghana, Senegal, Togo, and Nigeria) underscores the collaborative spirit of this partnership. By advancing the leadership capabilities of women with disabilities, the project seeks to integrate their voices into the broader women’s movement, ensuring that their unique challenges and perspectives are addressed in advocacy efforts.
Working with JONAPWD is essential for DRF as it provides a robust platform for grassroots engagement and advocacy. JONAPWD’s established network of persons with disabilities across Nigeria proves invaluable for reaching out to affected individuals and communities. This partnership ensures that the initiatives remain not only top-down but also informed by the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
In conclusion, the collaboration between JONAPWD and the Disability Rights Fund represents a transformative partnership that addresses critical issues related to disability rights in Nigeria. By focusing on constitutional advocacy, compliance reporting, and empowering women, this partnership is making significant strides toward creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all persons with disabilities. The implications of this work extend beyond Nigeria, setting a precedent for disability rights advocacy across West Africa and beyond.
A significant development, DRF is also partnering with JONAPWD to create an Action Plan that will be usable by all Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and persons with disabilities (OfPDs) in Nigeria. This initiative emerges as an essential offshoot of the pre-GDS (Global Disability Summit) DRF support earlier in 2025, as well as the GDS itself and subsequent post-GDS activities. The Action Plan aims to provide a strategic framework that aligns the efforts of various OPDs, ensuring a unified approach to advocacy and implementation of disability rights initiatives across the country. This collaborative effort will empower local organizations to effectively engage with policymakers and enhance their capacities in addressing the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.
- The partnership between the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Light for the World (Mastercard Foundation) is representing a significant step forward in promoting economic inclusion for young persons with disabilities in Nigeria. The collaborative effort, known as the #WeCanWork programme, is engaging 1,000,000 young women and men with disabilities in dignified and fulfilling work from 2023 to 2030.
The #WeCanWork programme is committed to building the capacity of various cohorts of disability inclusion facilitators (DIFs) across Nigeria. This initiative is crucial as it equips local leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for and implement disability-inclusive practices within their communities. By fostering a network of trained facilitators, the partnership is enhancing the overall capacity of the disability rights movement in Nigeria.
The programme emphasizes the establishment of local Entrepreneurship Hubs aimed at supporting young persons with disabilities. These hubs serve as vital resources for providing training, mentorship, and access to funding, thereby empowering young people to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. This timely intervention is set to play a crucial role in equalizing economic opportunities for young persons with disabilities and ensuring their full inclusion in various sectors.
The #WeCanWork programme specifically targets youth aged 18 to 35, with a strong focus on those facing the most barriers in their transition to work, particularly young women with disabilities and individuals with little or no formal education. This includes young refugees, displaced youth with disabilities, and disadvantaged youth from impoverished households in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. By addressing the unique challenges faced by these groups, the partnership is working to create more equitable pathways to employment.
Partnering with JONAPWD is essential for both Light for the World and the Mastercard Foundation, as it provides a robust platform for grassroots engagement and advocacy. JONAPWD’s established network of persons with disabilities across Nigeria ensures that the programme is informed by the lived experiences of those it aims to serve. This collaboration enhances the credibility and effectiveness of the #WeCanWork initiative, ensuring that it resonates with the actual needs of young persons with disabilities.
Moreover, JONAPWD’s extensive experience in promoting disability rights and inclusion makes it an invaluable partner in this endeavor. The organization’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive society aligns seamlessly with the goals of the #WeCanWork programme, creating a synergistic effect that amplifies the impact of their collective efforts.
- MacArthur Foundation
- Disability Rights Fund/Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRF/DRAF)
- Ford Foundation
- CBM Global Disability Inclusion
- Mastercard Foundation/Light for the World
- Institute of Development Studie s (IDS)
- IOM Nigeria
- Conference of Stakeholders on Disabilities in Nigeria (COSDIN)
- Inable Africa
- FCDO
You can reach us at info@jonapwdng.org