NBA Lawyers Forum hails disability inclusion policy

…significant turning point for those with disabilities — Chairman

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has recorded a historic milestone with the adoption of its landmark Disability Inclusion Policy, which institutionalises accessibility, reasonable accommodation, non-discrimination and equal participation within the legal profession, positioning the NBA as a continental leader in disability inclusion.

The policy, adopted by the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) at its meeting in Awka, Anambra State on May 7, 2026, was championed by the NBA Lawyers with Disabilities Forum, representing a bold and progressive step towards deepening equity, inclusion, accessibility and equal participation in Nigeria’s legal ecosystem.

It seeks to ensure that lawyers and law students with disabilities enjoy reasonable accommodation, accessible infrastructure, and equal opportunities across all aspects of legal practice.

Reacting to the development in Asaba on Friday, the Chairperson of the NBA Lawyers with Disabilities Forum, Ms. Patience Etumudon, described the policy adoption as a significant turning point for lawyers with disabilities and a major step towards building a more inclusive legal profession.

She said the policy would ensure that accessibility becomes a priority in NBA programmes, conferences, and activities, adding that the upcoming NBA conference in Port Harcourt would provide an opportunity to showcase some of the practical steps towards implementing the initiative.

Ms. Etumudon commended the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, for his commitment to advancing the rights and recognition of lawyers with disabilities, noting that the policy demonstrates that they are an integral part of the Nigerian Bar Association.

She explained that the policy would have far-reaching implications, including ensuring that law students with disabilities can enjoy reasonable accommodation in law schools and universities, while law firms, NBA branches, and professional facilities would be encouraged to provide accessible environments.

According to her, the initiative was not only for lawyers with disabilities but for every member of the legal profession, stressing that disability can happen to anyone at any point in life.

“We are all a step away from disability. A person can walk out of a door, suffer an accident, and experience a temporary or permanent disability. The actions we take today in creating an inclusive society show how we would want to be treated if circumstances change,” she said.

Also speaking on the development, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, described the adoption of the policy as a welcome and long-overdue development that reflects a shift from viewing disability through the lens of pity to recognising it as a matter of rights and enforcement.

He said lawyers with disabilities should be treated equally and provided with the necessary support to effectively discharge their professional responsibilities.

According to him, the Delta State Ministry of Justice has continued to provide facilities and support systems to ensure that lawyers with disabilities can function effectively, while emphasising the importance of accessible court facilities.

Mr. Erebe noted that Delta State has a disability law that prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and provides mechanisms for enforcing their rights through institutions such as the Office of the Public Defender.

He added that the law requires public and private buildings in the state to comply with accessibility standards, while also guaranteeing free and compulsory education for children with disabilities up to secondary school level.

The Solicitor General further stated that the NBA policy would help address institutional gaps by ensuring that NBA events, conferences, and professional activities are designed with accessibility in mind.

He stressed that disability could affect anyone, noting that a person can become disabled unexpectedly through illness or an accident, and therefore inclusion should be seen as a collective responsibility.

Both legal professionals called for wider adoption of disability inclusion policies by other professional bodies, government institutions, and workplaces, emphasising that persons living with disabilities should not be subjected to discrimination or treated with pity, but should enjoy equal rights, dignity, and opportunities under the law.

By adopting the policy, the NBA has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to upholding the rule of law while advancing a legal profession where merit, dignity, and equal opportunity prevail irrespective of physical or sensory limitations.