Abah Felicity 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The disability-inclusive climate policy campaign gains momentum as the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) calls for stronger legal protections to ensure persons with disabilities are fully represented in Nigeria’s climate change framework.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Umuahia during the presentation of a research report examining disability-inclusive greenhouse gas emissions, climate adaptation and mitigation.
Acting Director of CCD, Godwin Unumeri, says the report forms part of the organisation’s disability inclusion project and provides evidence to support reforms that promote equal participation in climate action.
The organisation urges the National Climate Change Commission (NCCC) to introduce supplementary regulations recognising persons with disabilities as a distinct group under the Climate Change Act 2021.
According to Unumeri, the research, conducted between October and December 2025, aims to provide policymakers with evidence needed to develop programmes that address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
“The launch aims to equip policymakers with evidence to design programmes that address the unique needs of PWDs,” he says.
The study identifies what it describes as a policy gap between the Climate Change Act 2021 and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, noting that while the Climate Change Act classifies persons with disabilities as vulnerable, it provides no guaranteed representation or participation mechanisms.
Findings reveal that 87.3 per cent of respondent’s report experiencing climate-related challenges, while 91.8 per cent believe persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by floods, heatwaves and other climate hazards.
About the Author
Hope Ajayi 
Oluwatobi Adu 