Muhammad Abubakar Enagi speaks with raw frustration about how his community is treated. The Executive Director of Empowerment Initiative of Persons with Disabilities in Niger State told our reporters: "We are never carried along in politics or other opportunities."
Persons with disabilities across Niger State say they've been shut out repeatedly. They face exclusion from political posts, jobs, farm support programs, and even the promised disability commission.
Enagi laid out numbers that tell a stark story. Out of roughly 5,000 political appointments handed out in the state, disabled persons got just six positions total.
"We have one Senior Special Assistant, one Coordinator, and four Special Assistants," he explained. Nothing more from thousands of available slots.
Government jobs paint an equally bleak picture. When the governor announced about 10,000 permanent positions, only around 30 went to PWDs.
Enagi says officials dismiss their complaints with excuses. Some claim even able-bodied citizens haven't received enough positions yet.
Abubakar Musa, a former PDP disability leader in the state, confirms Enagi's account. According to him, PWDs rarely access opportunities through official channels.
"We had to struggle seriously before those 30 slots were approved," Musa told us. Getting those jobs meant defending them before officials finally agreed.
Attempts to get comment from Niger State Civil Service Commission failed before our deadline. Officials there didn't respond to our inquiries.
A disability commission remains the community's most urgent demand. Disability groups say the governor promised one before the 2023 elections.
That promise came up again recently. During an agricultural inputs distribution in Minna last September, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago spoke directly to disability advocates.
Enagi recalled what happened at that event. The governor said his new commissioner would establish the disability body for them.
PWD groups want the commission placed under the Governor's Office, not a ministry. Enagi noted they believe direct access would make it work better.
At the federal level, the disability commission sits under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. But Niger's disability community thinks a different structure suits their state.
Mohammed Ladan from Gbako Local Government Area remains hopeful. He believes a working commission could finally address real community needs.
Saba Usman, also from Gbako, shares that cautious optimism. Both men are watching to see if promises turn into action.
