The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment are exploring a strategic partnership to expand economic opportunities for persons with disabilities through trade, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and the creative economy.
The proposed collaboration was discussed during a courtesy visit by the Commission to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, in Abuja, with both parties considering ways to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from the Ministry’s programmes and initiatives.
The Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Ayuba Burki Gufwan, represented by the Commission’s Director of Social Integration, Lawrence Idemudia, said the visit was aimed at securing institutional support for inclusive trade and investment, as well as participation in CANEX WKND 2026, a platform for showcasing creative talent and promoting business opportunities.
Gufwan said disability inclusion should be recognised as an economic priority, noting that Nigerians with disabilities have significant potential as consumers, producers and entrepreneurs.
“We are not here to ask for charity. We are here to unlock a market of consumers, producers, and entrepreneurs through the creative industry and trade and investment strategies,” he said.
He commended Oduwole for her work in industrialisation, the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and trade expansion under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Commission also highlighted its existing partnerships with Peace for Humanity Foundation and Discovering Ability in Disability Initiative (DADI), which support skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, empowerment and participation in the creative industries.
Responding, Oduwole assured the Commission of the Ministry’s willingness to explore ways to include persons with disabilities in its ongoing programmes. She identified opportunities within the Ministry’s trade activities and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides a framework for expanding trade across Africa.
The Minister also highlighted CANEX WKND 2026 as a platform for trade, investment, enterprise and market access, noting that persons with disabilities could benefit from its opportunities, subject to relevant programme requirements.
She directed officials from the Ministry, the Commission and its partners to establish a Technical Working Committee to identify priority areas for collaboration and develop strategies to improve the participation of persons with disabilities in the Ministry’s projects and plans.
Among the Commission’s requests was approval to feature the creative talents of persons with disabilities at the CANEX WKND 2026 showcase. It also sought collaboration on a proposed reality television talent hunt in partnership with DADI, covering fields including music, comedy, acting, fashion design, visual arts, dance, culinary arts, content creation and assistive technology innovation.
The Commission further proposed support for its Farm City Project, being developed in partnership with Peace for Humanity Foundation to create opportunities for persons with disabilities in agriculture, careers and business ventures. It said integrating these initiatives into the Ministry’s entrepreneurship and small-business development schemes could help expand access to skills, markets and income-generating opportunities.
The proposed partnership is expected to identify practical ways of connecting persons with disabilities to trade, investment, creative-industry and enterprise-development opportunities, with the Technical Working Committee tasked with developing areas for further cooperation.
