…300,000 Plateau Residents with Disabilities Face Disproportionate Climate Impacts as Government Fails to Deliver Inclusive Action
A ground-breaking new report released today by the Social Justice Advocacy Initiative (SJAI) reveals the devastating impact of climate change on persons with disabilities in Plateau State, exposing systemic failures in government response and urgent gaps in inclusive climate action.
The comprehensive study, titled “Left Behind: Climate Change and Disability Crises in North Central Nigeria,” documents how approximately 300,000 Plateau residents living with disabilities face compounding vulnerabilities from flooding, agricultural disruption, and farmer-herder conflicts—challenges that are intensified by discriminatory policies and inaccessible emergency services.
Climate Change Hits Disabled Communities Hardest
The report, based on extensive field monitoring conducted between February and June 2025, reveals alarming patterns of exclusion during climate disasters:
- Evacuation Failures: People with disabilities are routinely left behind during flood evacuations, with emergency shelters lacking basic accessibility features
- Information Blackouts: Early warning systems depend solely on radio and SMS, excluding those with hearing or visual impairments
- Healthcare Collapse: Climate-related health emergencies disproportionately affect disabled individuals who already face barriers to medical care
- Economic Devastation: Agricultural disruptions hit disabled farmers hardest, with no targeted support for climate-smart adaptations
“The evidence is clear—climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human rights crisis that’s hitting our most vulnerable citizens the hardest,” said Cordelia Ugwu, SJAI National Coordinator and lead analyst for the report. “While government officials debate policy frameworks, hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities are struggling to survive each flood season without basic support.”
Government Policies Fail to Protect
Despite the existence of the Plateau State Disability Rights Act (2005) and the national Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2019), the report finds that implementation remains virtually non-existent. The Plateau State Disability Rights Commission, established in 2005, has failed to deliver on its mandate to promote inclusion and empowerment.
The study documents a critical disconnect between the state’s climate change policies and disability rights legislation, leaving disabled communities without protection during increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Urgent Recommendations for Action
The report presents a comprehensive framework for transformation, calling for:
Immediate Government Action:
- Establishment of accessible early warning systems using multiple communication methods
- Mandatory disability accessibility audits for all emergency shelters
- Creation of disability-inclusive climate adaptation programs
- Allocation of dedicated budget lines for disability-inclusive climate initiatives
Systemic Reform:
- Integration of disability considerations into all climate planning
- Meaningful participation of disabled persons in climate governance
- Comprehensive training for emergency responders on disability-inclusive practices
- Development of climate vulnerability data disaggregated by disability type
Voices from the Ground
The report amplifies testimonies from disabled individuals across Plateau State who describe being forgotten during emergencies, excluded from recovery programs, and denied access to climate adaptation resources. These firsthand accounts reveal the human cost of government inaction and the urgent need for inclusive climate policies.
A Call for Accountability
“This report is not just documentation—it’s a demand for action,” emphasized [SJAI Spokesperson]. “The Plateau State government can no longer claim ignorance about the climate crisis facing disabled communities. We have provided a roadmap for change. Now we need political will and resources to implement it.”
The research was conducted with support from Oil Watch Africa under the Global Greengrants Fund, in partnership with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Plateau State branch.
About the Research
The study employed participatory research methods, working directly with disabled communities across Plateau State’s diverse geographical zones. Field monitors documented experiences during the 2024-2025 climate season, capturing impacts from both flooding in lowland areas and prolonged dry spells affecting agricultural zones.
Looking Forward
SJAI calls on the Plateau State government to immediately convene an emergency summit bringing together disability organisations, climate experts, and government officials to develop an action plan addressing the report’s recommendations. The organization also urges the National Assembly to strengthen enforcement mechanisms for existing disability rights legislation.
“Every day we delay action is another day that climate change pushes disabled communities further to the margins,” Cordelia Ugwu concluded. “Plateau State has the opportunity to lead Nigeria in showing that inclusive climate action is not just possible—it’s essential for building resilience for everyone.”
The full report is attached and includes detailed policy recommendations, case studies, and a comprehensive framework for disability-inclusive climate action.
About Social Justice Advocacy Initiative (SJAI)
Since 2008, SJAI has been at the forefront of monitoring and documenting human rights violations in Nigeria. The organization works to expose abuses, increase government accountability, and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities through investigation, litigation, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy.
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For media inquiries, interview requests, or copies of the full report, please contact
