Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are individuals with long-term physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial impairments who often face barriers that limit their full participation in society. Advocates say true inclusion can only be achieved when governments integrate their voices directly into decision-making and design policies that reflect their lived experiences.
In Kano, the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) is urging the state government to actively support and sustain a functional Disability Commission. The organisation’s Deputy Coordinator, Aftahana Dahiru Sarina, stated during the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities that development will remain slow if people with disabilities continue to face discrimination, poverty, and limited access to essential services.
He called on the government to adopt internationally recognised frameworks that guarantee accessible infrastructure, inclusive education, fair employment opportunities, and full political participation. Sarina also emphasised that policies affecting PWDs must involve them directly through formal roles in policy formulation and collaboration with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.
V-PeSDI, however, acknowledged ongoing government interventions, particularly the recent enrolment of thousands of PWDs into the state’s free health insurance scheme through a partnership between the Ministry of Women, Children and Persons with Special Needs and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency. The group described the initiative as a meaningful move toward easing the financial burden on vulnerable individuals but insisted that structural reforms remain urgent.
Aftahana Dahiru Sarina is a disability-rights advocate and Deputy Coordinator of the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI), where he plays a central role in championing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Kano. He has been a prominent voice in ongoing campaigns urging the state government to establish a functional Disability Commission, arguing that such an institution is essential for improving access to healthcare, education, employment, and equal participation for people with disabilities.
Beyond advocacy, Sarina has distinguished himself as a creative professional. In 2024, he won “Photographer of the Year” at the Arewa Under 30 Awards, an achievement he dedicated to persons with disabilities striving to overcome stereotypes. His work and public engagement continue to position him as both an influential organiser and an inspiring example of ability, resilience, and leadership.
As Kano debates the future of disability inclusion, one question remains: Can policies truly represent people with disabilities if they are not at the table when those policies are made?
#DisabilityInclusion #KanoState #PWDVoices
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