Building an Inclusive Nigeria: Implementing a Friendly Disability Structure.

On the June 13, 2025 edition of Hitches and Voices, Architect Mrs. Cecilia Atohengbe brought a practical perspective to the conversation on inclusion, focusing on how disability-friendly infrastructure can transform Nigeria into a more accessible nation. Her contribution highlighted a key but often overlooked truth: that the physical environment plays a major role in either enabling or excluding persons with disabilities.

While acknowledging the existence of legal frameworks like the National Disability Act and the Edo State Disability Law, Atohengbe pointed out a persistent and troubling issue — weak implementation. Despite these laws, many public buildings across the country still lack basic accessibility features such as ramps, adapted toilets, and clear signage. And even when such features are present, she noted, they are often poorly designed — ramps that are dangerously steep or unusable, toilets that don’t meet accessibility standards, or entrances that remain difficult to navigate. These flaws, she emphasized, reflect not just negligence but a lack of professional input and intentionality in the design process.

Atohengbe stressed that true inclusion starts at the drawing board. Accessibility must be part of the blueprint, not an afterthought or last-minute adjustment. In her words, “Accessibility isn’t an afterthought — it’s a fundamental part of the blueprint.” This requires architects, engineers, and planners who are not only professionally trained but also guided by a strong understanding of universal design principles and disability rights.

The conversation also shifted toward government accountability. It was noted that it is both ironic and unacceptable that government institutions — the very bodies responsible for enforcing accessibility laws — often operate from buildings that are themselves inaccessible. Ministries, universities, courts, and other public institutions must lead by example. If inclusion is to be taken seriously, it must be visible in the very structures where policies are made and services delivered.

For Atohengbe, raising awareness is a good start, but it is not enough. What matters is tangible, visible change — buildings, roads, and public spaces that persons with disabilities can access and use without barriers. Inclusion must be reflected not just in laws or speeches, but in physical environments that allow for free and independent movement. Only then can we claim to be building a society that works for everyone.

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