The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights and inclusion of all Nigerians, particularly those with disabilities.
The council’s Deputy Director of Consumer and Business Education, Nwafor Anthony, emphasized this commitment on Monday in Abuja at a policy roundtable focused on improving financial access for Persons with Disabilities.
The event was organized by the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, an organization dedicated to championing equal rights for vulnerable groups.
During his remarks, Nwafor praised CADEF’s efforts in promoting inclusive practices and pledged the FCCPC’s ongoing support for initiatives that work towards equal access for all Nigerians.
He outlined the council’s current campaigns aimed at raising awareness on inclusivity and creating a supportive environment that allows people with disabilities to access services without discrimination.
“The council is already engaging in several campaigns aimed at drawing the need to ensure inclusivity and also provide an adequate environment for persons with special needs to access all sorts of services without any form of discrimination. We will continue to fight for Nigerians’ rights to be respected,” he said, underscoring the council’s resolve to protect consumer rights across all demographics.
Speaking on behalf of CADEF, Executive Director Professor, Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor highlighted the urgency of addressing the systemic obstacles that PWDs encounter when using digital financial services.
She noted that challenges for PWDs are prevalent in both online and offline service settings and need prompt action to ensure equal access.
Explaining further, Ndukwe-Okafor identified two core issues, pointing to inadequate infrastructure and an underdeveloped policy framework as major barriers that often prevent PWDs from fully benefiting from financial services.
She added that these roadblocks not only limit financial inclusion but also affect the overall quality of life for many individuals within this community.
“The key recommendations from this meeting will provide a framework that will guide future efforts in addressing the menace and ensuring that all persons with disabilities access the services without any form of stress and under the best possible conditions,” Ndukwe-Okafor emphasized.
The roundtable aimed to create actionable strategies by gathering insights from multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, financial service providers, and disability advocates, to develop solutions that would foster greater inclusion and remove the obstacles currently faced by Nigerians with disabilities.
