Former Governor of Kano State and ex–APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, has linked the increasing number of street beggars in Northern Nigeria to the long-standing neglect of persons with disabilities.

He made the statement on Friday in Abuja at the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of Let’s Talk Humanity, an organisation focused on supporting the education of the Deaf and Blind.

Ganduje said persons with disabilities have been largely marginalised in the region, a situation he believes has worsened poverty and street begging.

According to him, many persons with disabilities are left without support systems, which affects their confidence, productivity and social inclusion.

“In the north, persons with disabilities are people relegated to the background… that is why we have an array of beggars across the northern parts of this country day and night,” he said.

He described the situation as “a sorry sight,” noting that some individuals with disabilities are forced to live under bridges or on the streets due to lack of opportunities and support.

Ganduje added that properly structured empowerment programmes could help transform persons with disabilities into productive members of society, including employers of labour.\

He also praised initiatives like Let’s Talk Humanity, describing them as examples of efforts that can drive inclusion and restore dignity to vulnerable groups.

The former governor called on government authorities and development partners to invest more in disability-focused education, skills training and empowerment programmes.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Bernard Doro, also spoke at the event, stressing the need to design technology and public infrastructure with persons with disabilities in mind from the outset.

He said accessibility should be integrated into development planning rather than added later as an afterthought.

Founder of Let’s Talk Humanity, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, said the organisation has empowered over 1,000 beneficiaries in the past 10 years through education and support for persons with sensory impairments.

She expressed optimism about expanding the initiative into a national resource centre for special needs education.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission also commended the initiative, urging state governments to replicate similar programmes across the country to improve inclusion and social welfare.