By Michael Omotosho |
In a landmark virtual engagement session, the Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing an inclusive and comprehensive Climate Action Plan, with stakeholders calling for the deliberate mainstreaming of persons with disabilities (PWDs) into climate policies, planning, and implementation.
The interactive session, organized by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in collaboration with DINABI Nigeria, brought together disability community leaders, government officials, and climate change experts to deliberate on how to make the state’s climate response comprehensive and inclusive.
Climate Crisis Demands Urgent Action for Vulnerable Populations
Dr. Olly Owen, a climate expert, said the action plan is designed to ensure inclusivity and broad-based participation.
“This action plan is meant to be all-inclusive. We are engaging different groups, including youth and persons with disabilities, to ensure that the final document reflects a holistic response to climate change challenges,” he said.
Dr. Owen emphasized the urgency of climate action by presenting alarming data on climate projections for Ekiti State, revealing that average temperatures could rise by another one degree Celsius by 2050, with minimum temperatures expected to increase even more significantly.
“Historically, Ekiti records about 58 nights per year, where temperatures exceed 23 degrees Celsius. By 2050, this is projected to triple to approximately 154 days annually, meaning nearly half the year, residents will experience uncomfortably hot nights,” Dr. Owen explained.
Demand for Structural Inclusion in Decision Making
Participants across various disability clusters made strong demands for deliberate inclusion in climate governance.
Mr. Abejide Ifeoluwa emphasized that “persons with disability are more vulnerable to climate change impacts, and there must be a deliberate attempt to bring persons with disability and their organizations into planning, execution, education, and every form of research on climate adaptation.”
He specifically called for accessible information formats, noting that “When links were being shared here, some of us who are visually impaired could not easily access the QR code. We need materials in audio formats and Braille.”
Government Pledges Structural Changes and Policy Commitment
Dr. Yemi Akinyugha, responding on behalf of the Ministry, acknowledged the validity of all contributions and outlined specific measures, assuring participants that their recommendations were well received and would be integrated into policy processes.
“All the contributions are very apt and thought-provoking. Some perspectives raised today were not previously emphasized strongly, and we appreciate them,” he said.
On information accessibility, he committed to working with DINABI to ensure that persons who cannot access online surveys due to format limitations are reached through alternative means, including WhatsApp groups for the disability community across the state.
He disclosed that “in the next couple of weeks, there will be a program between the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Ministry of Agriculture to step down climate predictions for farmers.” He pledged to mainstream the Office of the Special Adviser on Social Inclusion into those conversations to ensure information reaches farmers with disabilities.
He noted that “the conversation goes beyond climate action. We need to ask ourselves how well disability and social inclusion issues are mainstreamed within the state budget planning process across all ministries.” He committed to engaging the Ministry of Budget and Planning to ensure social inclusion lenses are applied across sectors.
He also emphasized the importance of accessible climate information.
“Climate information must be available in formats that support persons with disabilities including Braille, audio, and large print. Without information, you cannot plan,” he added.
Call for Green Infrastructure and Urban Planning Reform
Dr. Akinyugha further called for advocacy around urban planning reforms, urging civil society organizations to push for greener cities.
“The more green spaces we have, the better for everyone, including persons with disabilities. Urban planning must integrate climate resilience and accessibility,” he said.
Stakeholders also recommended that representatives from disability clusters be included in climate committees and that dedicated budget lines be created to support disability-inclusive climate action.
Path Forward
The session concluded with an agreement that a formal memorandum containing recommendations from the disability community would be documented and submitted to the Ministry of Environment within 48 hours, ensuring that PWD perspectives are formally integrated into the state climate action plan.
The DINABI team assured participants that the online survey would be adjusted to capture disability status, enabling disaggregated data collection and analysis of specific concerns across different disability types.
The government also committed to sharing survey links through disability networks and WhatsApp groups to reach as many persons with disabilities as possible across the state, ensuring diverse voices shape the final document.
The stakeholders’ forum represents a turning point in Ekiti State’s approach to climate governance, signaling that inclusive development is not optional but essential to building climate resilience that protects all citizens.
The virtual engagement marks a significant departure from traditional policy formulation approaches, setting a precedent for inclusive governance in Ekiti State’s response to the climate crisis.
Share this
