Stakeholders seek enforcement of disability Act in Nigeria’s digital space
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology and disability advocacy space have called for stricter enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, warning that weak compliance continues to exclude millions
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology and disability advocacy space have called for stricter enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, warning that weak compliance continues to exclude millions of persons with disabilities from the country’s growing digital ecosystem.
The call was made during a three-day digital accessibility training organised by the Centre for Inclusive Development (CID), with support from the Disability Rights Fund, under its Enhancing Digital Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria project.
Participants at the workshop noted that despite existing legal and policy frameworks, most digital platforms in Nigeria remain largely inaccessible.
They pointed out that websites without text alternatives exclude blind users, while the absence of captions and transcripts shuts out deaf users.
They added that platforms that require mouse navigation also limit access for persons with motor disabilities.
They further decried the state of key digital services, including banking and fintech applications, as well as government portals such as those operated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing complex language, poor colour contrast, and unclear error prompts as barriers for users with cognitive and other disabilities.
“These barriers and more cut millions of Nigerians off from public services, economic opportunity, and civic participation, yet they can be fixed with the right knowledge and will to act,” they noted.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s legal framework provides a foundation for inclusion, stakeholders stressed that implementation remains a major gap.
They referenced commitments by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan to promote inclusive infrastructure, as well as the adoption of global standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Program Manager, EDAPDN Project at CID, Isaiah Ude said the training was designed not only to raise awareness but to equip Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) with practical skills to demand accountability.
"Beyond awareness, we want these organisations to have the technical capacity, ability to audit digital platforms, identify errors, and use that evidence to push for change. We expect OPDs to lead accessibility audits and drive digital accessibility advocacy in their own right," Ude said.
A separate session for developers and IT professionals also emphasised that compliance with accessibility standards is both a legal and professional obligation.
"Nigeria's digital ecosystem is growing fast, and that is a good thing. But growth that leaves persons with disabilities behind is not progress but exclusion. The developers and IT professionals who attended this training build platforms and applications. If they carry accessibility into their work from this point forward, the impact will be felt far beyond this project," Ude added.
David Owumi, a digital accessibility expert and lead trainer, said: “Disability inclusion is about the environment and not the persons living with temporary or permanent impairments. We have a responsibility to create channels that guarantee access for all—online and offline.”
The training formed part of CID’s broader efforts to drive compliance with accessibility standards across Nigeria’s digital space by engaging government, private sector actors, and the disability community.
Participants, including OPD representatives and technology developers, pledged to apply the knowledge gained by auditing digital platforms and advocating for inclusive systems.
Also speaking, Communications Officer at the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiatives (AWWDI), Mr Otono Oshioriamhe said: “If a person cannot access your website, your service is not truly inclusive. AWWDI is bringing these lessons back into our work and pushing even harder for accessibility in every space.”
Similarly, a tech expert at Paycrest Inc., Michael Agom said, “Accessibility isn’t a feature you add later. It’s part of the foundation. This session opened up honest conversations about how digital products are designed, what gets missed, and what it takes to build systems that actually work for everyone. Same goal, but with more people ready to make it real. Let’s get to work.”
