Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Oh God yes. This is not an accessible or inclusive country. No sidewalks, no ramps, no accommodations. - Jun 2024
Depends on the degree of disabilities and the medical care required. - Sep 2019
Maybe. It's chaos and though the major hotels have facilities for the handicapped, the outer world does not. I'm not sure about neighborhoods or the American School. - Feb 2019
Very tough time. - Apr 2018
Yes, though given that most people spend the majority of their time either at home or at work, it might be doable. - Apr 2017
Yes. Many public places and government buildings simply are not compliant. - Jun 2016
I think it depends on the disability. I have seen a couple of people who are wheelchair-bound get around OK, but my general impression is that this would be a very tough place for someone with a significant physical disability. - Aug 2015
Even mission housing and offices are not ADA compliant. Bomb blast doors are heavy and difficult to open. At our last visit, the automatic door opener was not working. There are few sidewalks (which serve more as a place to park than walk), no concern for someone with special needs. None of the public transportation has any. Even some of the nicest paces in the city would be difficult to get around in. - Jun 2015
Yes, no sidewalks, bad entrance ways, no ramps. It would be beyond difficult. - Nov 2014
Yes they would. For all the claims of Abuja being a modern city, it is not. It would be a difficult place to get around. It can be done, but not with ease. - Aug 2014
Not sure but it might be better than you expect. Given that no expats walk or take public transit and that drivers are inexpensive, and that most expats spend all their time at work or in provided housing, it might not be a big issue. With the right household staff, you really don't have to go anywhere other than your home and work, and perhaps to a few restaurants now and then. - May 2014
Elevators are almost always broken (and many people don't use them anyway because power outages are so frequent, and can be quite long). Side walks (where they do exist) seem to be in better repair than I imagined they would be. No public transportation is wheelchair accessible. - May 2013
Significant difficulties. There are few elevators (and lots of electrical outages) or other types of accommodations for the handicapped. - Jun 2009
Every imaginable difficulty. - Mar 2009
I think America is one of the only countries where someone with physical disabilities can live somewhere comfortably. Nigeria, like most other countries, don't go out of their way to accomodate those with disabilities. - Sep 2008
There are basically no accommodations for disabled people. - Aug 2008
A lot, there are few ramps with in the city and it can be dangerous to rely on what elevators there are in public places due to the poor power situation. Sidewalks are in disrepair and are often used more for driving and parking than for walking. - Jul 2008
