CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROTECTION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: A NIGERIA–UK COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

This long essay examines the constitutional and statutory protection of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The methodology of the study is comparative in nature and relies mainly on doctrinal research and case analysis. In Nigeria, the 1999 Constitution gives a general right against discrimination but does not clearly mention disability as one of the grounds. Because of this, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 has become the main law, setting out rights, rules on access, and creating the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. In the United Kingdom, protection for disabled persons is well established under the Equality Act 2010, supported by the Human Rights Act 1998 and court rulings which place a duty on employers and public bodies to make reasonable changes.
The research finds that while Nigeria’s legal framework is quite new and still adapting to standards of enforcement and awareness, it contains strong statutory guarantees which, if effectively implemented, could transform the lived experience of persons with disabilities. The UK system benefits from more developed enforcement institutions and case law, though welfare reforms have exposed certain policy weaknesses. Both legal systems are also influenced by international standards, especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The study concludes that Nigeria can borrow from the UK’s enforcement practice, while the UK may also learn from Nigeria’s express legislative commitments.