Tag: TALI

For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has partnered with government institutions to jointly fulfill a global human rights obligation on behalf of the country.

The Ability Life Initiative (TALI), in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMT), the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and other stakeholders, has set a new precedent for disability rights enforcement in Nigeria.

At a one-day stakeholders’ forum on Inclusive Transport and Accessible Housing at the NHRC Auditorium in Abuja, TALI convened policymakers, regulators, and advocates to address the 16 thematic questions outlined by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). These submissions will contribute to OHCHR’s annual thematic study on disability-inclusive infrastructure worldwide.

Addressing participants, Dr. Prada Uzodimma,Esq Co-Founder of TALI, called on leaders to confront the gap between legislation and lived reality for the country’s estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities (PWDs). “The 2018 Disability Act is not a decoration — it is a promise. We must ensure persons with disabilities are not passive subjects of policy but the authors of meaningful change in housing and transport accessibility,” she said.

Echoing this urgency, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, reminded stakeholders that inclusive housing and transport are “fundamental rights, not privileges,” enshrined both in Nigeria’s constitution and in binding international human rights instruments.

Chief Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, praised TALI’s initiative as “a bold step in the right direction,” stressing the importance of enforcing Section 9 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, which guarantees equal access to goods, services, and facilities.

On the housing front, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), represented by senior officials, pledged to prioritize affordable and accessible housing for PWDs in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The forum set a clear road map for enforcement: aligning domestic laws with international commitments, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and placing persons with disabilities at the center of planning, implementation, and monitoring processes.

Closing the forum, Ms. Uzodimma reaffirmed TALI’s mission: “This is more than infrastructure. This is about dignity, freedom, and justice. Nigeria is at a historic crossroads — and history will judge us not by the promises we made, but by the barriers we broke.”

With this unprecedented NGO–government partnership, Nigeria takes a bold step toward transforming disability rights from paper laws into irreversible realities, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.

Nigeria’s movement for disability rights reached a significant milestone with the official unveiling of The Ability Life Initiative (TALI), a leading advocacy group, on February 20, 2025, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The event attracted government officials, industry leaders and human rights advocates, highlighting a collective commitment to advancing disability rights and fostering a more inclusive society.

Under the theme “The Journey, The Impact, and The Future,” the unveiling of TALI set the stage for transformative action, strengthening partnerships and policy commitments to create a Nigeria where persons with disabilities can thrive.

Dignitaries at the unveiling include Kwara  Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who commended TALI’s founders, Oprah Uzodimma and Prada Uzodimma, for their dedication to championing the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Also in attendance was Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Chinyere Ekomaru, who delivered a speech applauding TALI’s bold initiative and urging all stakeholders to take decisive action towards an more inclusive society.

Kwara First Lady Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Advancing disability rights and inclusion in Nigeria.” 

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Other panelists were: Hon. Bashiru Dawodu – Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disability; Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa – Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Disability Affairs; Ayuba Gufwan, Esq. – Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD); Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN – Principal Partner, Ojukwu Chikaosolu & Co; Dr. Chike Okogwu – Chief Responsibility Officer, Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment (CARE).

Minister of Women Affairs, Imman Suliaman-Ibrahimwho announced a partnership between her ministry and TALI to distribute Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tablets to students with speech and language disabilities across Nigeria’s 36 States. 

 Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, pledged automatic employment for two persons with disabilities in his ministry and a minimum 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities in all ministry projects and programs; 

Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) revealed he had recently introduced a bill in the Senate to strengthen legal protections for persons with disabilities. 

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, called for an increase in the 5% employment threshold for persons with disabilities, advocating for greater inclusion in the workforce; and Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, pledged pro bono legal representation for persons with disabilities through a partnership with TALI.

Other notable guests included: Mr. Hillary Ogbonna – Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); Mr. Jake Epelle – Founder, The Albino Foundation Africa; Dr. Chike Okogwu – Chief Responsibility Officer, CARE, among many other advocates and policymakers.

With this groundbreaking initiative, TALI has cemented its place as a leading voice in disability advocacy, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight for equal rights and opportunities in Nigeria.

Oprah-Uzodimma Ohaeri expressed gratitude to distinguished guests and attendees for being part of the unveiling and reiterated the efforts of Tali in creating a more equitable society for all.TALI champions disability inclusion as Govs, Ministers pledge support