The Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Bashiru Dawodu (APC, Lagos), has called for tax exemptions for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and tax reliefs for companies employing or manufacturing for them. Speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing in Abuja, he emphasized the need for scholarships for special education teachers and a disability trust fund.
Dawodu criticized the poor implementation of the 2018 Disability Act, noting that only 22 states have domesticated it and that the N2 billion budget for the Disability Commission is inadequate. He urged states to adopt the Act and called for stricter penalties for non-compliance.
The MoU includes medical access support, talent development for PWDs, a reality TV show, and an inclusive musical concert. Dawodu stressed collaboration with NGOs to support Nigeria’s 35 million PWDs and ensure stronger government commitment to disability rights.
