THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER THE NIGERIAN DISABILITY ACT: WHETHER A FABLE?

Abstract

In this article, the writers considered whether the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities under the Nigerian Disability Act is a fable. This curiosity is predicated on the fact that the most recent legislation - Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Act, 2018 was given an implementation phase of five (5) years. However, we are currently in the fifth year, and little or nothing has been done to properly include, and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the dictates of the Act. Hence, it seems the Nigerian government is very good at making laws with zero implementation plans. The article discussed some legal instruments applicable to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Salient provisions of the Disability Act, 2018 and the obligations and responsibilities created under the legal instruments were also highlighted and discussed. The extent of compliance with legal measures on the rights of disabled persons in Nigeria and the challenges of enforcing the rights of PWDs in Nigeria were also expounded. It was found that PWDs are still subjected to widespread discriminations by the society, despite the numerous legislations and the recent Nigerian Disability Act. These shortcomings were due to the usual poor implementation and enforcement mechanisms in Nigeria. The writers thereon proffered solutions on how the rights of persons with disabilities can be protected in line with the Disability Act, and other legislations.