Key stakeholders from government ministries, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) have called for urgent and inclusive policy action to address the intersection of disability, climate change, and health in Nigeria. This resolution was made during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting held at Casa De Lucy Hotel, Gudu District, Abuja. The meeting, organized by the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) with funding support from the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), brought together representatives from the Federal Ministries of Health, Environment, and Education, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), JONAPWD, and members of the albinism community.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director of the Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to a climate agenda that leaves no one behind. He advocated for the total inclusion of persons with albinism in all climate resilience strategies and announced the Ministry’s readiness to support interventions tailored to mitigate the effects of climate change on this vulnerable population. “The impact of climate change on persons with albinism is real and must not be overlooked. Our planning must reflect their needs from public infrastructure to early warning systems,” he stated, urging continued collaboration with OPDs to ensure inclusive climate policies are not only designed but implemented.
On health, stakeholders urged the Federal Ministry of Health to fully implement the provisions of the National Policy on Albinism by ensuring access to free or subsidized dermatological and ophthalmological care. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was also called upon to include specialized services for persons with albinism in its benefit packages. Expanding mobile health outreach services to rural and marginalized areas was highlighted as an essential step toward reducing inequalities in healthcare access. On inclusive education, the stakeholders recommended curriculum reforms to promote awareness about albinism and the provision of low-vision assistive devices, inclusive infrastructure, and teacher training on disability awareness and inclusive methodologies.
Stakeholders further called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination between the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Education to effectively implement inclusive development programs. They urged INEC to ensure accessible electoral processes for PWAs and other PWDs and encouraged the National Orientation Agency to lead public awareness campaigns on climate and health challenges affecting persons with albinism. The meeting also stressed the importance of representation and participation, demanding that persons with albinism especially women and girls be included in planning and decision-making spaces. They recommended that OPDs such as AAN and JONAPWD be institutionalized as key partners in government consultations.
Finally, in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting emphasized the need for improved data collection systems that disaggregate by disability type, age, gender, and location to support effective planning. Stakeholders committed to continuous monitoring and evaluation of climate and health programs to ensure they are inclusive and impactful. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Joseph Akuse, Program Manager of AAN, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to ensuring the voices and rights of persons with albinism are at the center of Nigeria’s development agenda. “This meeting represents a collective stand against exclusion. We must all act now to make sure no one is left behind in the face of climate and health challenges,” he stated.
The event concluded with endorsements from participating agencies, including the Federal Ministries of Health, Environment, and Education; NOA; INEC; NCPWD; JONAPWD; and members of the albinism community. The Albinism Association of Nigeria expressed gratitude to the Disability Rights Fund for its continued support and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive advocacy and policy engagement.
