DSFN Challenges President Tinubu: Urgently Enforce National Disability Laws to Protect Intellectually Disabled

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) has issued a passionate and urgent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling on the Federal Government to ensure the immediate and comprehensive implementation of all enacted disability laws across the nation. The foundation stressed that this action is critical to safeguard the protection, guarantee quality healthcare, and foster the full societal inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities.

The demand was officially made on Saturday in a statement released to newsmen as the DSFN commemorated the 24th edition of its annual October event, which was centered on the theme, “Health Care for All.” The event featured an advocacy and charity walk that culminated at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat.

The foundation’s statement highlighted that its ongoing advocacy efforts are a direct response to the “widening gap in societal inclusion,” particularly for individuals with intellectual disabilities who often lack the capacity to speak up for their own rights.

“When we talk about disability, there are disabilities, and there are disabilities. Some individuals can speak up for their rights, while others cannot, and it is for them that we raise our voices,” the statement read.

A core concern for the DSFN is the chronic neglect and lack of services for the intellectually disabled within Nigeria’s healthcare system. This systemic failure, the foundation argues, results in preventable health issues and a significantly shortened lifespan for this vulnerable population. Consequently, the foundation implored the government to prioritize the establishment of sustainable and inclusive healthcare structures to effectively address these grave issues.

The Foundation noted that its event’s theme, “Health Care for All,” is a reflection of its unwavering commitment to ensuring that persons with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are acknowledged and given priority in Nigeria’s health policies.

Beyond healthcare, the DSFN called for the enforcement of existing laws to “guarantee integration, dignity, and equal opportunities,” citing the successful vocational and educational training programs already running at its Lagos centre.

The organisation expressed firm optimism that the Tinubu administration’s full commitment to implementing disability-inclusive policies and enforcing the existing legal framework notably the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 would constitute a significant and positive shift toward a truly inclusive nation. The foundation believes this would ensure that “everyone and anyone, regardless of ability, has access to quality healthcare, education, and a life of dignity.”

The call for enforcement is timely, as a recent report from the Nigerian think tank, Agora Policy, revealed that nearly half of the states in the country 17 out of 36 have yet to adopt the federal Disability Act as their own state law. The DSFN’s rally for action joins similar appeals from other groups urging the government to address the existing data gaps and tackle discrimination faced by People With Disabilities.