Breaking Barriers, Building Inclusion: The Resounding Success of the NBA-Lawyers With Disabilities (NBA-LWDF) Northern Zonal Stakeholders Summit 

By Ms. Patience N. Etumudon

The historic city of Maiduguri played host to a transformative gathering on 29th January 2025, as the Nigerian Bar Association-Lawyers with Disabilities Forum (NBA-LWDF) convened its Northern Zonal Stakeholders’ Summit. This landmark event was a bold step forward in the ongoing efforts for inclusion, equal rights, and provision of accessibility for persons with disabilities in Nigeria and the legal profession and Nigeria at large.

A Diverse Representation of Key Stakeholders
With over 160 participants, including more than 50 participants who are persons with disabilities, the summit was a landmark gathering of key stakeholders dedicated to promoting disability rights. The event brought together representatives from the Borno State Government, high-ranking officers from the office of the

Honourable Attorney General of Borno State, the Borno State Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights Commission Borno State. The Keynote Speaker, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN, was ably and excellently represented by Mr. Abdulwasiu A. Alfa.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National was well represented at the summit. Henry Barnabas Ehi, MCIArb who is the Assistant National General Secretary, represented the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN. Mr. Ehi also co-anchored the event. Executives and members of the NBA Maiduguri and Damaturu branches were in attendance. The summit also welcomed representatives from critical government institutions, including the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS). Security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) were in attendance, emphasising the significance of a multi-sectoral approach to disability rights and justice.

Civil society organisations played a vital role in shaping the discussions, with active participation from the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Stand-Up for Women’s Society, and the Jireh Doo Foundation.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Address

The Chairperson of the NBA-LWDF, Ms. Patience N. Etumudon, delivered a compelling opening speech, setting the tone for an insightful dialogue. The keynote address, presented on behalf of Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN, further highlighted the importance of legal and systemic reforms for persons with disabilities in Maiduguri and Nigeria at large.

Panel Discussions
The summit featured two engaging panel sessions which explored the critical themes of accessibility, inclusion, and the enforcement of disability rights. The first panel discussion focused on “The Criminality of Disability Discrimination and Evaluating the Preparedness of Law Enforcement Agencies and Relevant Stakeholders”, and panelists including the Attorney General represented by Mr. Garba M. Chibok (the Permanent Secretary), C.S.P. Abiola Babalola of the Nigerian Police Force, and representatives from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and NAPTIP.

Key issues raised included challenges experienced in the administration of justice for persons with disabilities (PWD), the need for more sign language interpreters, accessible infrastructure, and training for law enforcement personnel.

The second panel session themed “Disability Discrimination: Evaluating the Commitment and Impact of Civil Society Organisations working in the Northern States of the Country” centred on the role/efforts of civil society organizations in promoting inclusivity and addressing disability discrimination. The panelists emphasized the need for funding, unity, and co-operation among stakeholders.

The deliberations were not just theoretical; concrete commitments were made by stakeholders to ensure that the advocacy efforts would translate into real, tangible change.

Commitments and Advocacy Gains
The impact of the summit was immediate and profound. Key stakeholders made significant pledges, including:
1. The Honourable Attorney General of Borno State, Hauwa Abubakar vowed to champion the revisitation of the initially passed Disability Discrimination Prohibition Bill thereby ensuring that the required governor’s assent is secured.

2. The Honourable Attorney General of the State also pledged to ensure that the Ministry of Justice building meets accessibility standards.

3. The Chairman of the NBA Maiduguri Branch committed to reconstructing and ensuring that the Bar Centre fully meets accessibility requirements, and this has been completed at the time of writing this report.

4. The Commissioner of Police and the Commandant of the NSCDC promised to uphold and enforce the rights of persons with disabilities within their jurisdictions.

Recommendations
The summit proposed the following recommendations:
1. Inclusive Education and Accessible Infrastructure – Governments and stakeholders must prioritise inclusive education and ensure accessible infrastructure to guarantee equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

2. Capacity Building for Law Enforcement Personnel – Law enforcement agencies should undergo specialised training on disability rights, reasonable accommodation, and sign language interpretation to enhance the delivery of justice for persons with disabilities.

3. Collaboration among Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) – CSOs should strengthen partnerships and coordinate advocacy efforts to promote inclusivity.

4. There is a need to adopt and promote respectful language when referring to persons with disabilities.

5. Strengthening Institutional Frameworks – Governments must reinforce institutional mechanisms to ensure full implementation and enforcement of disability rights legislation.

6. The NBA and other professional associations should integrate disability-inclusive policies in their governance structures and events to ensure equitable participation of lawyers with disabilities.

Conclusion
The NBA-LWDF Northern Zonal Stakeholders’ Summit was a resounding success, with strong commitments from key stakeholders and actionable recommendations. The summit paved the way for meaningful reforms and a more inclusive legal profession and society at large.

Bridget Edokwe

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