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FG Plans Trade, Business Opportunities for Nigerians with Disabilities
The Federal Government is planning measures to expand access to trade, entrepreneurship, investment and creative-industry opportunities for Nigerians living with disabilities.
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have agreed to establish a technical working committee to develop strategies for including persons with disabilities in government-backed economic programmes.
The development followed a meeting in Abuja involving the commission’s Executive Secretary, Ayuba Burki Gufwan, represented by its Director of Social Integration, Lawrence Idemudia, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.
According to a report published by Leadership, the proposed collaboration is intended to improve access to entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, trade, industrialization and business development opportunities.
Government Considers Inclusion in Trade Programmes
The commission is seeking greater participation for persons with disabilities in existing and planned initiatives under the ministry, including programmes supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Oduwole reportedly assured the commission that people with disabilities would be considered for opportunities under the ministry’s ongoing programmes.
She also identified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework as a potential avenue for expanding participation in trade and enterprise development.
The technical working committee is expected to identify priority areas for collaboration and develop strategies for improving access to relevant government initiatives.
Creative Industry Opportunities Under Consideration
One of the commission’s requests is approval to showcase the creative talents of persons with disabilities at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026.
The platform is intended to provide opportunities for market access, investment, enterprise development and creative-industry participation.
The commission noted that Nigerians with disabilities have talents in fields such as music, filmmaking, fashion, visual arts and other creative activities.
It has also proposed a national reality television talent hunt in partnership with the Discovering Ability in Disability Initiative (DADI).
The proposed programme would identify, train and mentor participants in music, comedy, acting, fashion design, painting, dance, culinary arts, content creation and assistive technology innovation.
The initiative is intended to help participants develop their skills and turn their talents into sustainable economic opportunities.
Agriculture and Enterprise Development
Another proposal is the Farm City Project, which the commission is developing in partnership with the Peace for Humanity Foundation.
The project aims to promote opportunities for persons with disabilities in agriculture, business and other career ventures.
The commission wants these initiatives integrated into the ministry’s entrepreneurship and MSME development programmes to expand access to skills, markets and income-generating activities.
Disability Inclusion and Nigeria’s Economic Development
The NCPWD, established under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, is mandated to promote and protect the rights and welfare of Nigerians with disabilities.
Gufwan stressed that disability inclusion should be treated as an economic priority rather than an act of charity, arguing that persons with disabilities should have opportunities to participate in the country’s trade and industrialization plans.
The proposed partnership reflects efforts to connect disability inclusion with broader economic development objectives, including entrepreneurship, industrial growth and expansion of Nigeria’s creative economy.
However, the proposed initiatives are still subject to further planning and coordination. The announcement does not, by itself, establish that grants are available or that applications have opened.