Osun State Takes Historic Step On Disability Inclusion as Permanent Secretaries and Accounting Officers Commit to Disability Law 2024 Implementation

News Update

In a landmark effort to institutionalize disability rights and inclusive governance across public administration, the Osun State Bureau for Persons with Disabilities (OSBPWD) in strategic collaboration with the Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance (CAI4SR) and with funding support from CBM International successfully hosted a high level stakeholders’ advocacy engagement for Permanent Secretaries and Accounting Officers on July 23, 2026 in Osogbo.

The executive engagement recorded a massive turnout, drawing Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies.

This high-level participation underscores the Osun State Government’s firm administrative resolve to translate the Osun State Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Law 2024 from legislative text into actionable public policy.

The advocacy meeting was convened to achieve five core objectives designed to overhaul service delivery, infrastructure, and human resource management across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs):

1. Establishment of Disability Inclusion Desk Officers (DIDOs). Formalizing the designation of senior officers in every MDA to coordinate, monitor, and report on disability inclusive initiatives.

2. Strengthening Accounting Officer Commitment: Deepening the direct leadership and fiscal accountability of Permanent Secretaries in upholding non-discriminatory practices and accessible governance.

3. Increasing Statutory Awareness: Sensitizing administrative heads on the legal rights, mandates, and compliance penalties established under the Osun State Disability Law 2024.

4. Mainstreaming Inclusion across Public Operations: Ensuring disability considerations are systematically integrated into annual MTEF budgets, infrastructure blueprints, employment quotas (5% PWD recruitment allocation), and public service delivery.

5. Fostering Inter-Agency Synergy: Solidifying operational collaboration between the Osun State Bureau for Persons with Disabilities and line MDAs for effective policy rollout and monitoring.

Speaking at the event, leadership from the Osun State Bureau for Persons with Disabilities commended the impressive attendance of the Permanent Secretaries, describing it as a turning point for social inclusion in the state.

The Bureau expressed deep appreciation to CAI4SR for its technical partnership and advocacy drive, as well as CBM International for its vital funding support in realizing this strategic engagement.
Participants engaged in values clarification exercises and technical review sessions, examining how the Twin-Track Approach and Universal Design principles as championed in global toolkits can be immediately applied to civil service operations, particularly ahead of the upcoming 2027 Budget Appropriation cycle.

As an immediate outcome of the July 23rd engagement, all participating MDAs agreed to submit their formal nominations for Disability Inclusion Desk Officers. The Osun State Government continues to demonstrate visionary leadership, setting a benchmark for civil service accessibility, human dignity, and equitable public administration across Nigeria.