The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strengthened its disability inclusion agenda with the donation of assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria as part of a regional programme aimed at improving access to assistive technology across West Africa.
The intervention, implemented under the ECOWAS Regional Programme for the Provision of Assistive Devices to Children with Disabilities in West Africa, marks Nigeria’s participation in the first phase of the initiative alongside Togo after nearly two years of planning and implementation.
The programme forms part of a broader regional strategy to expand access to assistive technology, promote local production and strengthen national systems for disability support.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Abuja, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Chief Ayuba Gufwan, described the initiative as a major step towards restoring dignity, independence and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
He said assistive devices enable beneficiaries to participate more effectively in education, employment and community life, stressing that millions of Nigerians still lack access to the technology they require.
According to Gufwan, Nigeria has more than 26 million persons with disabilities in need of assistive technology, while demand for affordable and quality devices continues to exceed supply.
He disclosed that the Commission has established a dedicated Assistive Devices and Technology Unit to coordinate service delivery and deepen collaboration with development partners.
He also revealed that the Commission, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and international partners, has developed key policy frameworks, including the Nigerian Priority Assistive Products List and a National Assistive Technology Scale-up Plan.
Gufwan urged governments, development partners and the private sector to work together to improve access to assistive technology, while advocating the establishment of local manufacturing and assembly plants to reduce dependence on imports and create jobs.
Representing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Barnard Doro said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
He described the donation as a practical intervention that restores dignity and independence while supporting the government’s broader social protection objectives.
ECOWAS officials said the programme was initiated following a regional disability inclusion study conducted in 2024, which revealed significant shortages in access to assistive technology across West Africa.
The regional body noted that Nigeria and Togo were selected as the first beneficiaries of the programme, which is expected to expand to additional member states as implementation progresses.
ECOWAS said future priorities include strengthening disability data collection, promoting local production of assistive technology and expanding access across the region as part of its Vision 2050 agenda for inclusive and sustainable development.
Michael Olugbode
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