Abstract
Globally, human rights have taken a center stage on all fronts. Through the activities of the United Nations, many countries have begun to adjust properly to the fact that human rights are fundamental, universal and indispensable for all humans irrespective of their circumstances of life. The treatment of persons with disabilities in Nigeria is far from the internationally approved standard. They are discriminated against and excluded by both society and government. Regrettably, Nigeria is a state party of the United Nations and a signatory to many human rights norms, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and its Optional Protocol. This article examines the situation faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria. It compares this with what obtains in some other jurisdictions. Specifically 1highlighted are two prominent countries of the world- USA and UK. It particularly noted that these two countries match robust legislative provisions with some practical initiatives for the protection of the rights of the disabled in their jurisdictions. The article adopts the doctrinal approach of research by employing both primary and secondary sources on the subject. It came to the conclusion that Nigeria is far from global standards in the treatment of persons with disabilities and recommends among other things, that Nigeria should make an all-inclusive legislation for the disables, merge legislation with deliberate implementation of the law, and re-orientate the public on the treatment of the disables.
Keywords: Persons with Disabilities, Human Rights, Canada, Nigeria, UK, USA, International law