PWDs must be protected, granted equal access to services

Over 35 million persons are currently living with disabilities in Nigeria, the executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), James Lalu has confirmed.

Persons with disabilities in Nigeria include individuals who have physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental impairments that may hinder their full and effective participation in society. This encompasses a wide range of conditions such as mobility impairments, visual or hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities, and mental health conditions. They face various challenges in accessing education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services, often due to societal barriers and inadequate support systems.

In January 2019, then Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, signed a historical piece of legislation — Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, after several years of advocacy by disability rights activists.

The Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 covers a wide array of rights, including the prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities in various sectors, such as education, employment, healthcare, and public transportation.

Recently, the son of Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun state, Debola Daniel, had posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) page about his experience at KFC, MMIA branch.

According to Daniel, the restaurant had stopped him and his family from entering, stating that “no wheelchairs were allowed.”

“Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was the manager – called out loudly, ‘No Wheelchairs Allowed’,” he posted.

“She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at KFCNigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.

“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability.”

Following the development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) shut down Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), an international fast food restaurant chain, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over discrimination against a passenger

In a statement on Thursday, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, Obiageli Orah, said the authority had investigated the matter and made their decision.

KFC said the treatment does not reflect its standards and will act swiftly to rectify it.

“KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values. However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation,” KFC Nigeria wrote on its X (formerly Twitter) platform Thursday afternoon.

“We deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest and extend sincere apologies to those affected. In response, we are urgently implementing inclusion training for all our employees. ”This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it. We are actively exploring actions to equip our team members and restaurants better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

Following the quick response of the FAAN by shutdown KFC has raised many questions to answer: do over 35 million persons currently living with disabilities in Nigeria get the same treatment as the son of a former governor? Despite signing Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities into law in Nigeria, do people in education sectors, places of work, and public transport among others abide by the law?

It is high time to treat all Persons With Disabilities equally by ensuring that they get the same rights, opportunities, and access to services as everyone else in society, and governments at all levels domesticate the laws that protect them .