Submission ID 129909
| Issue/Objective | Climate change exacerbates health inequities in Nigeria through rising greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation, and extreme weather events, disproportionately affecting persons with disabilities (PWDs) - a highly vulnerable yet marginalised group. Despite national commitments under the Climate Change Act (2021), the National Disability Act, and international frameworks (CRPD, Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework), evidence on disability inclusion in climate policies and programmes remains limited. This study examined the status of disability inclusion in Nigeria's climate frameworks, identified disproportionate impacts of GHG emissions on PWDs, documented vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities, and proposed actionable pathways for integration. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A cross-sectional, solution-oriented mixed-methods design was employed in October-November 2025 across four settings (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and FCT-Abuja), selected through stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were collected via surveys from 400 PWDs representing seven disability clusters; qualitative data comprised 40 key informant interviews (with MDAs, agencies, OPDs, NGOs) and 12 focus group discussions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (SPSS) and thematic coding (ATLAS.ti 25.0.1 and Google Colab), with rigorous ethical safeguards including informed consent and confidentiality. |
| Results | While 75% of PWDs were aware of climate change and 92% perceived themselves as more severely affected (due to heat stress, flooding, food insecurity, and pollution-related health risks), inclusion remained minimal: 81% reported no involvement in mitigation actions, 91% noted absence of disability-inclusive emergency plans, and 87% were unaware of relevant policies. Key barriers included lack of political will, attitudinal stigma, fragmented disability advocacy, inaccessible early warnings (only 21% access), and insufficient disability-disaggregated data. Qualitative insights highlighted leadership insincerity and structural exclusion as core drivers. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Nigeria's climate governance systematically sidelines PWDs, undermining health systems resilience and social justice. Urgent reforms are needed: amend the Climate Change Act to explicitly recognise PWDs as a vulnerable group, mandate PWD representation in the National Council on Climate Change, overhaul accessible early warning systems, and standardise disaggregated data collection. Mainstreaming disability into climate adaptation and mitigation offers a pathway to equitable, resilient health systems that leave no one behind. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Ikenna Ebiri-Okoro Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Ikenna Ebiri-Okoro Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) David Anyaele Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities |
