Nigerian content creator Hauwa Lawal, has ignited a crucial discussion on the lack of accessibility and inclusivity for people living with disabilities in Nigeria.
In a passionate video posted on her Instagram page, she expressed frustration over the country’s inadequate provisions for individuals with disabilities.
Hauwa shared a personal moment when attending an event featuring a sign language expert, contrasting it with numerous other events she had attended that lacked such accommodations. “When you think about how inaccessible Nigeria is for people living with disabilities, you just start getting pissed off, I understand I’m part of a problem, but because it didn’t occur to me until I went to an event and I saw a sign language expert and I was just like, so all the other events that I have been going for that they will say youths come and learn about how to be better is not available for people living with disabilities,” she stated.
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The content creator pointed out stark realities, questioning the absence of accessible transportation, “Which wheeled-chair person have you seen inside Danfo? Which means that you must either come from a wealthy family or you are doomed.” she said, underscoring the socio-economic barriers that limit opportunities for people with disabilities.
I posted this on Twitter (now known as X) and someone said even in the workshop organized got people living with disabilities is still not accessible.”
Hauwa emphasised that Nigeria’s societal structures are not optimized to integrate people with disabilities, leading to conditioning that stereotypes them as beggars. “We are not able to integrate people living with disability into the society. That’s why you are socially conditioned to believe that people with disabilities are beggars,” she noted.
The content creator stressed that her message wasn’t sponsored by any organization but stemmed from a genuine desire to spark necessary conversations. “This is not my regular content but please just share. No government organization, private body, or corporation is paying me to say this. But I feel like this conversation needs to be had,” Hauwa said.
She ended her statement saying “You don’t have to wait until the fire is burning you to advocate for better. You can do your own little part. We need to do better collectively.” Her video has generated reactions in the comment section with people thanking her for raising the awareness and some with disabilities confirming Hauwa’s statements;
