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Torture and amputation after witchcraft accusation
At 13, Ovey Friday was accused of witchcraft by his stepmother in Nasarawa State, central Nigeria. He was taken to a traditional shrine where a herbalist tortured him.
The herbalist bound Friday's hands and legs, applied pepper and charcoal, then covered him with a bedsheet. By the time a neighbor alerted police, the damage was irreversible. Doctors had to amputate his left hand and part of his right hand's fingers after emergency surgery.
"I cried and I cried," Friday, now 19, told the BBC. "I wish they knew me before this happened."
Years of stigma followed. Strangers stared or mocked him in public, but Friday remained determined to pursue his education.
University dreams nearly derailed by biometric barriers
Two years ago, Friday faced another hurdle: Nigeria's university entrance exam, administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), required fingerprint verification. His scarred hands couldn't be scanned.
With help from a guardian and disability rights activists, officials accepted his toe print as an alternative. Friday is now studying English and literary studies at a Nasarawa university-the first in his family to attend.
"Not everyone has someone to push for them. Some people will just stop trying," he said.
Nigeria's disability rights law falls short
Over 35 million Nigerians-15% of the population-live with disabilities, according to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). A 2019 law prohibits discrimination and guarantees access to public services, but progress has been slow.
NCPWD Executive Secretary Ayuba Burki-Gufwan acknowledged delays but highlighted small victories: JAMB waived exam fees for disabled students and established dedicated test centers. A Nasarawa university also slashed tuition by 75% for disabled students, leading to a surge in enrollment.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step," Burki-Gufwan said.
Infrastructure and attitudes lag behind legislation
Lagos-based special educator Chukwuemeka Chimdiebere called for urgent action, arguing that inclusion is a responsibility, not a favor.
"Many persons with disabilities are limited by systems that were never designed for them," he said. Accessibility extends beyond ramps-it includes sign-language interpreters, braille materials, and digital platforms built for diverse users.
Wheelchair user Abiose Falade, 48, described daily challenges: uneven pavements, missing ramps, and public buildings without accessible entrances. Nigeria imports all wheelchairs and assistive devices, exacerbating shortages.
"If nine out of 10 disabled people need assistive devices and none are locally made, we have a huge challenge," Burki-Gufwan said.
Advocates demand 1% of government budgets be earmarked for disability programs, citing funding gaps as a major obstacle.
Invisible disabilities and systemic neglect
Opeyemi Ademola, 28, a Lagos project manager with mixed hearing loss, faces skepticism due to his invisible disability. Meetings in noisy environments drain him, yet simple accommodations-like written summaries or captions-are rare.
"People assume if you speak fluently, you don't face communication challenges. But accessibility is about support," he said.
Scarlett Eduoku, a Kano radio presenter who lost an eye as a toddler, struggled to upgrade her SIM card remotely because facial recognition software failed. She had to travel to her provider's headquarters in person.
A call for systemic change
Burki-Gufwan envisions a Nigeria where "no one is left behind" in education, employment, or political participation. For now, advocates stress that stronger enforcement of existing laws is as critical as funding.
Friday, meanwhile, is adjusting to university life-learning to write differently, live independently, and make friends. His resilience, he hopes, will inspire others.
"Obstacles and prejudice can be overcome. People with disabilities can succeed like everyone else if given the opportunity," he said.
