Former Kano State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has raised alarm over what he described as the growing marginalisation of persons living with disabilities (PWDs), linking it directly to the increasing number of beggars across northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of Let’s Talk Humanity, Ganduje said the persistent neglect of PWDs has left many with limited opportunities for survival, forcing some into street begging.
According to him, the situation reflects a deeper societal failure to integrate and support vulnerable groups.
“In the North, persons with disabilities are relegated to the background. That is why we have an array of beggars across the northern parts of this country day and night,” he stated.
Ganduje emphasised that the trend can be reversed through deliberate investment in inclusive education, vocational training, and access to assistive technologies. He noted that with the right support systems, many PWDs could become economically independent and active contributors to society.
He further called on government at all levels, development partners, and individuals to prioritise disability inclusion as a strategy for tackling poverty and reducing social challenges in the region.
The former governor’s remarks add to ongoing conversations about social protection and the urgent need for policies that ensure no group is left behind in Nigeria’s development agenda.
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