By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Faced with systemic barriers that limit their participation in economic development, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Plateau State who are entrepreneurs have called for a more inclusive and enabling environment in which their businesses can thrive.

The PWD entrepreneurs, alongside other stakeholders, called for stronger relationships with regulatory agencies to bridge existing gaps, expand the business space, and allow more PWDs to engage in meaningful economic activities.

Speaking in Jos during a policy dialogue on disability-inclusive, business-enabling environment reforms and skills development for PWD entrepreneurs, the Chairman of the State Disability Rights Commission, Lengnen Jurmang, and the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Shindol Adamu, emphasized the need to eliminate institutional barriers in order to support the economic contributions of PWDs in the State.

The event was organized by the State Disability Rights Commission in collaboration with the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) and the State One-Stop Investment Centre, with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (GIZ-SEDEC).

Akinropo Omoware of GIZ-SEDEC called for more collaboration between relevant organizations and PWDs to increase their participation in economic activities.

He further emphasized the importance of inclusive and accessible policy frameworks, continuity in effective policies, and noted that the dialogue presents an opportunity for the co-creation of reform recommendations that will advance disability inclusion in the state.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic reforms targeting PWDs, urging stakeholders to take practical steps toward translating policy into long-term impact.

The Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, who represented Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the event, stated, “The inclusion of PWDs is not an act of charity, but a matter of economic justice and strategic development. This government is focused on human capital development and prosperity for all, not survival for a few.”

Also speaking, the Director General of PLASMIDA, Bomkam Wuyep, stressed that empowering PWDs is both a moral duty and a smart economic decision, and highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including a 20% affirmative action policy in PLASMIDA programmes exclusively for PWDs.

“There are inclusive regulatory reforms easing business registration and licensing for persons with disabilities, improved access to finance and markets including low-interest loans and mobile banking services, greater accessibility of public infrastructure and digital platforms, and inclusive public procurement opportunities for PWD-led businesses,” Wuyep explained.

The forum also featured a panel discussion. Panelists were from regulatory and educational bodies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Government Technical College Bukuru (BUTEX), the Plateau State Ministry of Education, and others.