Ganduje urges investment in PWDs to end street begging in northern Nigeria
…inclusion is an obligation, not an option, says humanitarian minister Former Kano State Governor and immediate-past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on
...inclusion is an obligation, not an option, says humanitarian minister
Former Kano State Governor and immediate-past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on state governors, development partners and philanthropists to increase investment in Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as a strategy to curb street begging in Northern Nigeria.
Ganduje made the call on Friday in Abuja during the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of the Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative, an organisation focused on the educational needs of the deaf and blind.
Now serving as Board Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, he decried the systemic neglect of persons with disabilities, describing it as a major contributor to homelessness and widespread street begging across the region.
He characterised the condition of persons with disabilities in Northern Nigeria as deeply troubling, calling for a “silent revolution” driven by technology and specialised education.
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“In the northern part of this country, people with disabilities are largely relegated to the background. This explains the prevalence of beggars across the region, many of whom live under bridges or on the streets,” he said.
Ganduje, however, noted that the achievements recorded over the past decade by the LTH Initiative provide a workable model for change.
“What we have seen represents a silent revolution. If replicated by governors and supported by philanthropists, it can significantly transform our society,” he added.
He emphasised the need to restore the dignity of persons with disabilities, noting that prolonged neglect has negatively impacted their confidence and sense of self-worth.
“They are often neglected because of their condition, which affects their psyche and motivation. Initiatives like this help them regain their sense of belonging and humanity,” he said.
Ganduje urged leaders to prioritise empowerment over charity, stressing that with the right support, persons with disabilities can become employers of labour and excel across various fields.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Bernard M. Doro, said inclusion of persons with special needs is a fundamental responsibility of government.
He called for a shift in policy and infrastructure development, insisting that accessibility must be integrated into planning from the outset rather than treated as an afterthought.
"We must move towards a future where accessibility is by design, moving away from retrofitting tools towards building universal platforms. You don't wait until you [build something] before you begin to adapt it for people to use," the Minister remarked.
The founder of Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative, Mrs. Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, who described the 10 years ofvthe initiative as a "decade of impact", revealed that her organization has empowered approximately 1,000 beneficiaries annually since its inception in 2015.
Reflecting on a decade of service to the Tudun Maliki Special School in Kano, she shared an ambitious vision for the future:
"Our projection for the next 10 years is to establish a National Resource Center for those with sensory impairment. We want to tap into international knowledge and resources to bring special needs education in Nigeria up to global standards."
The event featured a keynote speech by Ibrahim Abdukabir, Vice Principal of Tudun Maliki Special School, and brought together a diverse group of experts, government officials, and alumni who have benefited from the initiative’s focus on technological integration in disability education.
