Groups representing persons with disabilities have taken the Federal Government to the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding N66 trillion in damages over what they described as decades of discrimination, exclusion and neglect.
The suit, filed on August 12, 2026, is being pursued as a class action and fundamental human rights case, with the applicants saying they represent more than 40 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
The groups named several government institutions and officials as respondents, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, National Assembly, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
PWD Groups Demand N66trn
The applicants are asking the court to award N66 trillion in general, structural and punitive damages, putting the figure at N1 trillion for each year since Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
They are also asking the court to compel the Federal Government to overhaul its approach to disability affairs and establish a fully elevated federal ministry dedicated to disability and rehabilitation.
The groups want Nigeria to fully implement its obligations under international agreements protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and relevant African protocols.
They are also seeking amendments to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 to bring it in line with those obligations.
Groups Seek Investigation Into Disability Funds
The applicants are further asking the court to direct relevant anti-corruption agencies and the Auditor-General for the Federation to conduct forensic investigations into funds meant for persons with disabilities.
They want allegedly diverted public and donor funds recovered, specifically citing an alleged N24 billion diversion involving MSMEDF/AGSMEIS funds.
The groups are also asking for disability implementation commissions or offices to be established across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government areas.
They are seeking additional orders concerning the leadership and elections of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD), citing an earlier Cross River State High Court judgment which they said recognised the association’s 2008 constitution.
The suit names 26 respondents, including several federal ministries, government agencies and offices.
The applicants described the case as a major human rights action aimed at securing structural reforms and addressing what they called decades of marginalisation and institutional neglect of Nigerians living with disabilities.
Source: Court documents filed by the applicants.
