The Benue State Government on September 22nd, 2026, at Makurdi, has assured persons living with disabilities of increased support and opportunities to participate in community development and climate-related decision-making.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, gave the assurance at a one-day multi-stakeholder dialogue on disability-inclusive participation in climate governance, negotiation and decision-making in Makurdi.
Represented by the ministry’s Director, Mrs. Magdalene Andoor, Ikwue said the government was open to partnerships that would promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
She commended the Hope Alive Possibilities Initiative (HAPI), which organized the programme with support from the Disability Rights Fund, describing the dialogue as timely, particularly for women and girls with disabilities.
“Our ministry is open to dialogue, inclusion and needed partnership to promote people with disabilities,” she said.
Earlier, HAPI Executive Director, Aver Akighir, said climate-related emergencies could create additional barriers for persons with disabilities.
She noted that early warning messages may not be accessible to deaf persons, while emergency shelters may be unsuitable for wheelchair users. She also said women with disabilities could lose their livelihoods during flooding and struggle to access recovery programmes.
Akighir urged governments, civil society organizations and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities to move from consultation to meaningful participation in climate decisions.
She said Nigeria’s commitment to disability inclusion was reflected in the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Also, the State Coordinator of Civil Society Organizations, Zone B, Blessing Adzege, urged stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only represented at meetings but are given opportunities to influence decisions.
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Adzege, represented by Moses Makere, said climate change affects everyone but its impact is not experienced equally, especially by persons with disabilities, women and girls.
She reaffirmed the commitment of civil society organizations in Benue to promoting inclusive climate governance, disability rights, gender equality and accountable decision-making.
