AFRI-CIRD seeks establishment of disability commission in Kano as number of PWDs hits 2.5m
The African Center for Innovative Research and Development (AFRI-CIRD) has called on the Kano State Government to urgently establish a Disability Commission following new data showing that the state has the highest population of persons living with disabilities in Nigeria.
In a press statement issued on Saturday by Mohammed Bello, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of AFRI-CIRD , the organization expressed concern over a recently released disability dataset by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), which estimates that about 2.5 million persons with disabilities (PWDs) reside in Kano.
According to the organisation, the figure places Kano at the forefront of disability prevalence in the country and highlights the urgent need for structured policy responses and inclusive governance at the state level.
The report further estimates that Nigeria has about 35 million persons living with disabilities, representing approximately 15 percent of the country’s population, making the issue a major national development concern.
AFRI-CIRD welcomed the availability of credible disability data, noting that it provides, for the first time, a clearer demographic picture that can guide government planning, budgeting and the design of inclusive policies.
However, the organisation stressed that the large number of people living with disabilities in Kano exposes a critical policy gap that requires immediate intervention.
To address the challenge, AFRI-CIRD urged the Kano State Government to establish a Kano State Disability Commission that would coordinate disability inclusion across critical sectors such as healthcare, education, employment, social protection, infrastructure and accessibility standards.
The organisation said the proposed commission should be empowered to develop state-specific policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. It also recommended that adequate budgetary resources be allocated to ensure the sustainability of such initiatives.
AFRI-CIRD further emphasised the importance of engaging networks of persons with disabilities and civil society organisations in policy formulation and implementation.
The group warned that without a dedicated institutional framework to design and implement disability-focused policies, millions of persons with disabilities in Kano risk continued neglect.
“Disabled persons often face barriers in accessing healthcare, education, economic opportunities and public spaces. These challenges are further compounded in the absence of a dedicated state institution responsible for disability inclusion,” the statement noted.
The organisation maintained that inclusion should be treated as a development priority rather than a privilege, adding that the creation of a Disability Commission in Kano could serve as a model for inclusive governance across Nigeria.
AFRI-CIRD also urged the state government to act swiftly, stressing that establishing a Disability Commission is not only a policy recommendation but also a moral and constitutional obligation to guarantee dignity, equity and opportunity for all citizens.
