admin In Nigeria, as the country becomes more digital, a forgotten group of people is being left behind. Amidst the push for a cashless society and the widespread use of the National Identification Number (NIN), a vulnerable population – those affected by leprosy – find themselves increasingly marginalized and excluded.
Leprosy is a disease that has afflicted humanity for centuries. While the nation takes pride in its technological advancements, the harsh reality is that those living with the physical and social consequences of this disease are being left behind, unable to access the very systems that are transforming the country.
In Ogun State, the heart of this crisis is clear. Jimoh Ahmed, the Chairman of the Integrated Dignity Economic Advancement, an association that supports persons affected by leprosy, paints a grim picture. “I would say people affected with leprosy are no longer Nigerians,” he says, “because whatever we want to do now, they ask for NIN.”
The National Identification Number is a mandatory document for accessing essential services. This has become a major problem for the leprosy community. As Ahmed explains, many of their members have lost their fingers due to the disease, making it impossible for them to be properly registered for the NIN. “Most of our members do not even have fingers anymore and could not be captured in the NIN office,” he says.
The consequences of this exclusion are severe. Ahmed reveals that some of their members have had their bank accounts flagged and their telephone numbers disconnected, effectively cutting them off from the digital economy and basic communication. “Some of them who have money in the bank cannot collect it because they have had their accounts flagged and the banks are always requesting the NIN,” he laments.
Surviving on the Margins
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the government agency responsible for the NIN system, acknowledges the challenges faced by leprosy patients. Kayode Adegoke, the Head of the Corporate Communication Unit at NIMC, says that alternative enrollment methods are available. “If they don’t have fingers, what we do is that we take their pictures, send it and generate a NIN for them,” he explains. “We can enroll them. There is no need for fingerprints.”
However, the reality on the ground is different. Ahmed’s experience suggests that these alternative solutions are not being effectively implemented, leaving leprosy patients unable to access the basic rights and services that other Nigerians take for granted.
The daily struggles of leprosy patients in Ogun State extend far beyond the digital realm. Many of them live in colonies and neighboring villages, where they face enormous challenges in providing for themselves and their families.
Ahmed highlights the dire situation, stating that the majority of their members have to rely on the small N10,000 naira stipend provided by the state government. “Even those still residing in the community, the hardship is too much for them. For them to eat is difficult,” he says.
The once-thriving farming activities that sustained the leper colonies have been severely impacted by land encroachment, leaving the residents with little means of self-sufficiency. “The first job we do is farming but due to the encroachment of the land, there’s no opportunity for that,” Ahmed laments.
Compounding their woes, the lepers face discrimination and exclusion in their daily lives, including when it comes to transportation. Ahmed recounts the heartbreaking experiences of his community members, stating, “Whenever we want to enter a car, when they see our hand or leg, they’ll say ‘don’t come in.'”
The struggles faced by leprosy patients in Nigeria extend beyond the practical challenges of accessing services and earning a livelihood. They are also forced to confront the invisible barriers erected by societal prejudice and discrimination.
Section 17(1), (2), and 42(1) of the Nigerian Constitution guarantee equal rights for all citizens, yet the reality on the ground is different. Leprosy patients, once ostracized and stigmatized, continue to be marginalized, their voices silenced and their struggles ignored.
Ahmed laments the impact of this discrimination, particularly on the education of their younger members. “Some who had enrolled had been forced to drop out because they couldn’t handle the humiliation and shame of discrimination,” he says.
The exclusion of leprosy patients from the digital landscape and basic services is a violation of their constitutional rights. Yet, the system continues to fail them, trapping them in a cycle of poverty, isolation, and despair.
Towards Inclusion and Empowerment
As Nigeria moves forward with its digital transformation, the plight of leprosy patients demands urgent attention. The government, civil society organizations, and the broader community must work together to address the barriers that have kept this vulnerable population on the fringes of society.
Firstly, the NIMC must ensure that the alternative enrollment methods for leprosy patients are not just available on paper but are actively implemented and accessible. Adegoke’s assurances must translate into real results on the ground, empowering leprosy patients to obtain their NIN and regain their rightful place in the digital ecosystem.
Secondly, the government must increase the financial support provided to leprosy patients to meet their basic needs. The current N10,000 naira allowance, while appreciated, is inadequate. Investing in the well-being of this community is not only the right thing to do, but it will also help with their reintegration and self-sufficiency.
Beyond financial assistance, the government and civil society organizations must work to address the issue of land encroachment and restore the leper colonies’ access to agricultural resources. Empowering these communities to engage in sustainable farming and income-generating activities will not only improve their livelihoods but also foster a sense of dignity and belonging.
Crucial Reforms for Inclusion
Importantly, a public awareness campaign is needed to combat the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination faced by leprosy patients. By educating the broader population on the realities of the disease and the humanity of those affected, the invisible barriers that have isolated this community can be broken down.
Institutions such as schools and healthcare facilities must also be equipped to provide a safe and inclusive environment for leprosy patients, ensuring that they can access education and medical care without fear of discrimination or harassment.
The plight of leprosy patients in Nigeria is a stark reminder that the country’s digital transformation must be accompanied by a deep commitment to social inclusion and equity. As the nation races towards a cashless society and the integration of technology into every aspect of life, the voices of the marginalized cannot be ignored.
Jimoh Ahmed’s words – “I would say people affected with leprosy are no longer Nigerians” – serve as a sobering wake-up call. The exclusion of leprosy patients from the very fabric of Nigerian society is a moral and constitutional failure that must be addressed with urgency.
By ensuring that the NIN enrollment process is accessible and inclusive, providing adequate financial support, restoring economic opportunities, and eradicating the stigma that has plagued this community for generations, Nigeria can truly fulfill its promise of a digital future that leaves no one behind.
The journey towards a more equitable and just Nigeria requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive and support the most vulnerable members of our society. Leprosy patients, long relegated to the margins, deserve to be recognized, empowered, and integrated as equal citizens, with the same rights and opportunities as their fellow Nigerians.
As the country continues to evolve, the story of leprosy patients in Ogun State must serve as a catalyst for change – a call to action that compels the government, civil society, and the broader public to come together and build a Nigeria where digital progress and social inclusion go hand in hand. Only then can the nation truly claim to be a beacon of progress and prosperity for all its citizens.
