NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PRESS RELEASE 10th September, 2025 NCPWD and TALI Foundation Formalize Partnership to Advance Disability Inclusion in Nigeria The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Ability Life Initiative (TALI) Foundation to strengthen collaboration on promoting disability inclusion and the effective implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. The signing ceremony, held at the NCPWD headquarters in Abuja, was attended by senior officials of the Commission including the Director Compliance and Enforcement, Director of Social Integration, the Director of the Deputy Director of Human Resources Management, and the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics. The TALI Foundation delegation was led by its Co-Founder, Barr. Prada Uzodimma. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described the partnership as a “marriage of purpose” between the Commission and a like-minded organization that has consistently championed the rights of persons with disabilities. “We are not just signing papers today; we are committing ourselves to action. This MoU must translate into practical steps that remove barriers and expand opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Disability Act is one of Nigeria’s most progressive laws, but its success requires every hand on deck. With partners like the Tali Foundation, we are confident that implementation will move faster and deeper across the country,” Hon. Gufwan said. He further emphasized that inclusion is not a favour, but a fundamental human right, and urged civil society, private sector actors, and government agencies to work together in ensuring that the dignity and rights of over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities are upheld. Speaking on behalf of the Tali Foundation, Barr. Prada Uzodimma expressed gratitude to the Commission for its unwavering support since the inception of the Foundation’s work. “From our very first programme three years ago, the Commission stood by us, represented us, and guided us. Today is a day of joy as we formalize a relationship that has already been tested and proven. This MoU is not the end but the beginning of bigger initiatives, as we walk side by side with NCPWD to bridge the gap for persons with disabilities in Nigeria,” Uzodimma noted. She also revealed that the Foundation’s programmes are anchored on five pillars accessible housing, transportation, healthcare, mental well-being, and advocacy all aligned with the goals of the Disability Act. As part of the new partnership, both organizations will collaborate on the First Lady’s Stakeholder Forum on Disability Inclusion, scheduled for November 2025, which will convene state actors, development partners, and disability advocates to fast track state level implementation of the Disability Act. The NCPWD reaffirmed its readiness to provide technical support and policy guidance to ensure that initiatives under the MoU deliver tangible benefits for persons with disabilities. This MoU marks a significant step in strengthening synergy between government institutions and civil society organizations, ensuring that the vision of an inclusive Nigeria moves closer to reality. Ishaku Kigbu (anipr) Head, Media & Publicity National Commission for Persons with Disabilities