NIGERIA’S 2025 VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW (VNR): A CALL FOR TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY & GENUINE DISABILITY INCLUSION
The Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement—serving as the UN CRPD Independent Monitoring Mechanism (Articles 33(1–3) & 4(1–2))—have issued a strong call for truth, transparency, and genuine inclusion following the release of Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR).
Our mandate remains the defense of the rights, dignity, and full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in line with the UN CRPD, the African Charter, and the SDGs.
THE VNR IGNORED DISABILITY VOICES
After evaluating the 2025 VNR, we conclude that the report does not reflect the true realities of millions of PWDs in Nigeria who remain marginalized, unsafe, and unconsulted.
This position aligns with the warning issued by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Amina Mohammed, during the Global Disability Summit in Berlin:
“The UN Disability and Development Report found that about 98 percent of the SDG indicators for persons with disabilities are off track.”
She further warned:
“We are seeing growing and stark inequalities across the board—with higher poverty, greater unemployment, deeper food and health insecurity, and more limited access to digital technologies.”
These global findings directly contradict the optimistic narrative presented in Nigeria’s VNR.
Despite claims of “whole-of-society participation,” the government:
- Failed to meaningfully consult Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs);
- Excluded our UN CRPD monitoring consortium from all review stages;
- Conducted no accessible grassroots consultations;
- Presented no disability-disaggregated data;
- Ignored widespread rights violations and insecurity affecting PWDs.
SDGs CANNOT BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT DISABILITY INCLUSION
Nigeria cannot claim progress when:
- National data systems exclude PWDs;
- Consultations omit sign language, Braille, mobility, and assistive support;
- Development frameworks remain inaccessible;
- Disability is treated as an afterthought.
This violates:
- The UN CRPD,
- The 2030 Agenda’s Leave No One Behind,
- Nigeria’s Disability Act (2018).
OUR DEMANDS
We call on the Federal Government, OSSAP–SDGs, and all relevant MDAs to immediately:
- Acknowledge and correct the exclusion of PWDs in the VNR process.
- Convene accessible, nationwide consultations with grassroots OPDs.
- Create a disability-inclusive addendum to the 2025 VNR.
- Ensure full compliance with UN CRPD Articles 4 and 33 in all future SDG processes.
- Commit to disability-disaggregated data and accessible formats.
OUR COMMITMENT
As the UN CRPD Independent Monitoring Mechanism, we will continue to:
- Monitor government compliance;
- Engage development partners;
- Support grassroots DPOs;
- Submit independent assessments to the UN;
- Speak truth to power when national reporting excludes disability realities.
Sustainable development is impossible without disability inclusion.
Inclusion is impossible without participation.
And participation is meaningless without accessibility and accountability.
Signed:
Job Napoleon
Convener: The Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement: A UN CRPD Independent Monitoring Mechanism
Email: vov4pwd@gmail.com
Phone: +234 706 847 3214