By Mercy Peter
Stakeholders in the media and disability rights space have called for stricter enforcement of Nigeria’s disability law, urging journalists to move beyond awareness campaigns and instead drive accountability through investigative and rights-based reporting.
The call came during a specialised training for journalists held at the Candellux Imperial Hotel, where experts stressed that despite the existence of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, implementation gaps continue to limit its impact.
Speakers at the training argued that while awareness of disability rights has improved, compliance with the law remains weak across public and private institutions.
The Executive Director of the organising foundation, Peters Ogunmoujer, noted that the media must now take a more assertive role in ensuring that duty bearers are held accountable.
She challenged journalists to interrogate why many public buildings and services still fail to meet accessibility standards years after the law was enacted.
In a session on ethical reporting, Christopher Okafor urged journalists to shift from “soft storytelling” to more data-driven and investigative approaches that spotlight systemic failures.
He emphasised that disability reporting should not be limited to human-interest stories but should include scrutiny of policy implementation, budget allocations, and compliance levels.
“Journalists must ask hard questions—who is responsible for enforcement, what resources have been allocated, and why are violations still widespread?” he said.
Providing legal context, Musa Muazu reiterated that the law prescribes penalties for discrimination, including fines and imprisonment for individuals and organisations.
He, however, pointed out that enforcement mechanisms remain underutilised, with many cases going unreported or unresolved.
Muazu stressed that the law guarantees accessibility in infrastructure and public services, yet many institutions have not complied with requirements for ramps, lifts, and inclusive design.
Participants highlighted ongoing challenges faced by persons with disabilities, including limited access to transportation, inaccessible public facilities, and social stigma reinforced by media narratives.
The training identified the lack of consistent monitoring and weak institutional enforcement as major barriers to full implementation of the law.
Experts also warned that stereotypical portrayals in the media continue to undermine inclusion efforts. They called for a deliberate editorial shift toward reporting that centres on rights, equality, and systemic issues rather than pity or sensationalism.
Journalists were encouraged to adopt inclusive language and avoid framing disability stories as exceptional or inspirational simply for reflecting everyday realities.
The training concluded with a consensus that achieving inclusion requires a multi-sectoral approach, with the media playing a critical watchdog role.
Participants were urged to use their platforms to expose violations, track government commitments, and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities.
