NBAIS Pledges Deaf Inclusion in Staffing, Exams After NNAD's Historic Visit

 

  ◾ Board receives Deaf Dictionary

  ◾ pledges workforce integration for Deaf Nigerians

 by Ability News Network (ANN), April 29th, 2026

In a landmark move for disability inclusion, the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) on Monday, April 27, 2026, hosted the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) to discuss integrating Deaf persons into its workforce and examination systems.

The NNAD delegation, led by National President Hon. Haruna Muhammad Tsafe, paid a sensitisation visit to the Board’s headquarters in Abuja. Talks centred on creating pathways for Deaf community members to gain employment at NBAIS and ensuring its examinations are fully accessible.

To support communication and awareness, Tsafe presented the NBAIS Registrar with key NNAD publications, including a Deaf Dictionary.

The NBAIS Registrar described the engagement as “timely and impactful,” noting it was the first formal collaboration of its kind with the Deaf community. He commended NNAD’s advocacy and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to advancing inclusivity through sustained partnership.

The meeting signals growing momentum within Nigeria’s education and public service sectors to create equitable opportunities for Deaf Nigerians and other  persons with disabilities, Ability News Network reports

PWDs Applaud Former Kwami LG Chair Over Inclusivity, Development Strides

 

By Ability News Network | Kwami, Gombe State

Published on 26th April, 2026

Photo description: Dr. Prof. Ahmed Wali Doho, Immediate past chairman of kwami LGA, Gombe state

The community of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) has commended Dr. Professor Ahmed Wali, former Chairman of Kwami Local Government Area, Gombe State, for his inclusive leadership and developmental strides during his two-year tenure.

The commendation came during the official handing over ceremony held yesterday in Kwami, which marked the end of Dr. Wali's administration.

Speaking on behalf of PWDs, his former Personal Assistant on Disabled Matters, Usman Haruna,  expressed deep gratitude to the outgoing chairman for his commitment to disability inclusion.

"In just two years, he transformed Kwami with massive infrastructural development," he said. "I'm deeply grateful to him for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve as his PA on Disabled Matters."

He described Dr. Wali's tenure as one defined by love, support, and deliberate efforts to carry PWDs along in governance.

"Sir, thank you for your love and support. We, the community of persons with disabilities, will never forget you. Kwami will miss you. May Allah open more doors for you," he added.

L-R:  Usman Haruna, visually impaired PA on Disabled Matters poses for a photoshoot with  the former kwami LGA chair Dr. Ahmed Wali Doho shortly after the handing over ceremony yesterday. 

Dr. Professor Ahmed Wali served as Chairman of Kwami LGA, where his administration was noted for prioritizing infrastructure and inclusive policies.

Former Waziri North Councilor Lauds Gov. Yahaya for Chance to Serve as Councilor

by  Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

25th April, 2026

Dukku, Gombe State – Former Councillor of Waziri North Ward, Dukku Local Government Area, Hauwa Saidu Mohammed, popularly known as Hon. Hajiya Ummi, has expressed profound gratitude to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the opportunity to serve her people.

In a public statement released on Friday, Hajiya Ummi thanked Almighty Allah for granting her life, health, and the privilege to serve as Councillor of Waziri North Ward for two years.

“I give thanks to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala who gave me life and health, and granted me the time to work as Councilor of Waziri North Ward,” she said.

Hon. Hajiya Ummi also acknowledged Governor Yahaya’s role in her political journey. She noted that the Governor first appointed her as Special Assistant (S.A) from 2022 to 2023, before giving her another opportunity to contest and serve as elected Councillor for Waziri North from 2024 to 2026.

“I also thank His Excellency the Governor who gave me the chance to serve as S.A from 2022 to 2023, and then again gave me the chance when I was elected Councilor of Waziri North from 2024 to 2026. May Allah reward you with goodness,” she stated.

The former councilor extended appreciation to the people of Waziri North Ward for their cooperation and support throughout her tenure. She also sought forgiveness from her constituents for any shortcomings during her time in office.

“I thank the entire people of Waziri North for the cooperation you gave me. I also seek your forgiveness regarding any of your rights, especially where I fell short. For Allah’s sake, please forgive me,” Hajiya Ummi added.

Hauwa Saidu Mohammed served as Councillor, Waziri North Ward, Dukku LGA.

Presidential Aide, Lalu Meet Education Minister on Inclusive Schooling Drive

 

by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

25th April, 2026

In a renewed push to make education accessible for all Nigerian children, the senior special Adviser on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, alongside Dr. James Lalu, immediate past Executive Secretary of National Commission of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), paid a working visit to the Honourable Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, last Wednesday in his office to deliberate on the "Renewed Hope National Programme on Inclusive Education" 

The high level meeting focused on the challenges facing children with disabilities across the country. Many are still out of school, while millions already enrolled struggled with inaccessible infrastructure, shortage of trained teachers, and limited access to assistive devices.

Speaking during the meeting, the senior presidential Aide emphasized the current administration under president Tinubu's commitment to promoting educational development at all levels, stressing that under president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Renewed Hope Programme has set ambitious targets to close these persistent gaps through impactful initiatives such as enrolling over 2 million children with disabilities in schools, retrofit 10,000 public schools to meet accessibility standards, training of 100,000 teachers in inclusive education practices, expanding assistive technologies and learning materials nationwide, among other beneficial initiatives. He said.

"The initiative is about diginity, equity and ensuring no child with disability is left behind" the senior presidential Aide remarked

He reaffirmed his commitment alongside his team, to delivering tangible results under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. 

"No child will be left behind - inside or outside the classroom" he stressed 

Earlier the Hon. Minister had in his swift response expresses strong commitment to the initiative. Both parties agreed to convene an expanded meeting with heads of agencies and Directors in the Federal Ministry of Education to align policies and fast-tract implementation. 

The Renewed Hope National Programme on Inclusive and Accessible Education is a flagship policy of the Tinubu administration aimed at breaking barriers to education for Persons With disabilities.

DISCOVERY: Millions of Persons with Disabilities Still Face Daily Barriers Despite Legal Protections --Ability News Network (ANN)

by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

Published on April 23, 2026

Ability News Network (ANN) recently conducted a range of investigative hunts on Disability Rights Activists' trending activities across different divide and clusters of persons with disabilities in the country. The investigation revealed a horrifying tales of inequality, injustice and inhumane treatments meted to PWDs by some wicked elements in the society. 

ANN discovered that over the years Disability Rights Activists in Nigeria are raising the alarm that millions of persons with special needs continue to face overwhelming challenges in daily life.

Key among the problems, they say, are unemployment, limited access to education, and deep-rooted social exclusion that keeps persons with disabilities on the margins of society.

According to a recent report by Punch newspaper, an estimated 35 million Nigerians live with some form of disability, yet most still do not receive the same level of care, opportunity, or access as other citizens.

Buildings That Shut People Out

The report highlights that the majority of government buildings, schools, hospitals, and public spaces remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities. The absence of ramps, elevators, tactile pathways, and adapted restrooms forces wheelchair users, blind persons, and others to abandon essential services. For many, a simple trip to a local government office or health center becomes an impossible task.

Education and Employment: Doors Still Closed

Beyond physical infrastructure, activists point to a crisis in inclusive education. Most schools lack teachers trained in inclusive pedagogy and Nigerian Sign Language, and there is an acute shortage of assistive devices such as Braille materials, hearing aids, and screen readers. As a result, dropout rates among children with disabilities remain high.

The labor market is no better. Qualified persons with disabilities are routinely denied jobs due to stigma, misconceptions about productivity, or employers’ unwillingness to provide reasonable accommodation.

A Call to Government: Rights, Not Charity

Activists are calling on the Federal Government, state governments, and local councils to take urgent, concrete steps to ensure equity and inclusion. They stressed that protecting the rights of persons with disabilities is not an act of charity. It is a legal obligation under the 1999 Constitution and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

Immediate actions demanded include:  

1. Enforce the law: Begin sanctions against public institutions that fail to meet the minimum accessibility standards set by the 2018 Act.  

2. Fund inclusion: Ring-fence budget lines in education, health, and employment ministries for assistive devices, accessibility retrofits, and staff training.  

3. Public sensitization: Roll out nationwide campaigns via radio, TV, religious institutions, and social media to dismantle stigma and misinformation.  

4. Transparent reporting: The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and Ministry of Education should publish quarterly progress reports with disaggregated data on enrollment, employment, and accessibility compliance.

No More Delays:

Nigeria is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has had a national disability law since 2018. The time for converting policy into practice is long overdue. When 35 million citizens cannot access schools, jobs, or public buildings, the entire country loses out on their skills, taxes, and innovation.

As activists put it: “Inclusion is not a favor. It is a right.” and therefore a right PWDs should enjoy maximally without hinderence

DEAF MAN RISES CONCERN OVER INCESSANT CASES OF MISSING DEAF PERSONS IN NIGERIA, ADVISES NNAD'S LEADERSHIP

 By Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

21st April, 2026

A concerned member of the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Adamu Idris Adamu Lamba, has expressed alarm over the rising cases of missing Deaf individuals in the country, particularly those without formal education.

In an open letter to NNAD's leadership under Comrade Haruna Muhammad Tsafe, Lamba highlighted the difficulties in identifying and tracing missing Deaf persons due to lack of identification.

He proposed that NNAD should introduce a policy making it mandatory for all Deaf individuals to possess a valid ID card, facilitating easy identification and tracing.

Lamba's appeal aims to bring attention to the welfare of Deaf Nigerians and urge action to address this pressing issue, Ability News Network reports

NYSC: A New Bridge in Championing Inclusion and Employment for PWDs in Nigeria

By Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe

Published on 20th April, 2026

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a cornerstone of Nigeria's post-civil war reconciliation and national integration efforts, is increasingly becoming a vital bridge in championing inclusion and employment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

 While its primary mandate has always been to foster national unity through the deployment of graduates across the country, the NYSC is evolving, creating new pathways for PWDs to contribute meaningfully and secure their future.

For years, the participation of PWDs in the NYSC scheme has been a subject of evolving policies and practices. However, recent strides have transformed the program into a more robust platform for demonstrrating that disability is not inability, and that PWDs are integral to Nigeria's developmental agenda.

One of the most significant developments is the increased deliberate deployment of corps members with disabilities to roles where their skills and talents can be best utilized. This is a departure from past practices where placement might have been less strategic. Now, there's a growing emphasis on matching corps members with disabilities to organizations and projects that actively embrace diversity and can provide an inclusive service year. 

This, Ability News Network gathered, not only benefits the corps members but also enriches the host communities with unique perspectives and capabilities.

Furthermore, the NYSC, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is increasingly focusing on skill development and entrepreneurship training tailored for PWDs. Recognizing that the one-year service is a critical period for career preparation, initiatives are being put in place to equip corps members with disabilities with vocational skills, business management knowledge, and access to seed funding. This empowers them to become job creators rather than solely job seekers upon completion of their service.

The impact of this renewed focus is already visible. Many PWD corps members are not just fulfilling their service requirements; they are initiating impactful community development projects, demonstrating leadership, and breaking down societal barriers through their actions. Their presence in various communities serves as a powerful testament to the capabilities of PWDs, fostering greater understanding and acceptance.

The Ability News Network commends the NYSC for its commitment to this crucial aspect of inclusion. The program's ability to mobilize a vast pool of young Nigerians presents an unparalleled opportunity to mainstream disability inclusion at the grassroots level. As the NYSC continues to adapt and innovate, it solidifies its role not just as a national service program, but as a powerful engine for social change, economic empowerment, and the genuine integration of Persons with Disabilities into the fabric of Nigerian society.

The journey is far from over, but the NYSC is undoubtedly building a stronger, more inclusive bridge for PWDs, paving the way for a future where their contributions are not just recognized, but actively sought and celebrated.

This is further evidenced by the recent NYSC inclusive recruitment exercise which facilitated the employment of fourteen (14) PWDs graduates across the country into federal civil service under the NYSC payroll. A development that received applause throughout the country and greeted with extatic joy among the over 35 million of PWDs in Nigeria who sees the NYSC as the newest bridge in championing inclusion and integration of PWDs in Nigeria whose inclusive gestures ought to be emulated by all the existing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government from federal to state level.