Disability, Climate Change: Kaduna Board, KADCCAM Partner for Inclusive Resilience

By Abdullahi Alhassan

Kaduna, Nigeria, February 24, 2026( Series News Online)

The Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board and the Kaduna State Climate Change Accountability Mechanism (KADCCAM) have joined forces to address the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities in the state.

The partnership was formalized during an advocacy visit by KADCCAM to the Disability Affairs Board, where they discussed ways to strengthen collaboration on environmental degradation, desertification, flooding, and other climate-related issues.

"Persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to climate change, and it's essential we involve them in efforts to make Kaduna greener and more environmentally resilient," said Mr. Ibrahima Yakubu, Co-Chair of KADCCAM.

Yakubu noted that surveys indicate persons with disabilities face significant challenges during climate-related disasters, including access to roads and evacuation. "This visit is to deepen our rapport with you, enlighten young persons with disabilities in schools, and create platforms where we can collaborate with the horticulture sector to train them on how to plant and nurture trees to protect the environment," he added.

Hajiya Rakiya A. Umar, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board, welcomed the partnership, citing the severe impact of climate-related disasters on persons with disabilities. "The visit is timely, and we are ready to partner with KADCCAM to address these challenges," she said.

Mr. Rilwanu Abdullahi, National Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, urged authorities to translate national disability rights laws into climate-responsive policies. "Climate change affects persons with disabilities differently, and we need inclusive planning to save lives and enhance Nigeria's resilience to climate change," he said.

The partnership aims to promote disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies, including accessible evacuation routes, disability-friendly shelters, and trained emergency responders.