Assessing accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigerian public higher education facilities: stakeholder perspectives and lessons from Malaysia

Purpose The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is one of the frameworks for implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including inclusion and equal participation in Public Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs). There may be implementation issues that threaten the achievement of the SDGs related to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Studies on barriers and measures to improve the achievement of SDGs related to PwDs in PHEIs are scarce. This research investigated barriers and proposed measures, drawing on Malaysia's experience and, by extension, aimed to improve the achievement of SDGs related to PwDs in Nigeria's PHEIs. Design/methodology/approach This research employed a qualitative design to achieve the objectives. The researchers recruited 44 participants via convenience sampling and achieved saturation. A thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Findings Barriers faced by PwDs in PHEI facilities were grouped into internal and external design constraints. These barriers pose a threat to achieving SDGs related to PwDs. Findings also reveal that implementing measures to address these barriers would improve the achievement of SDGs related to PwDs in Nigeria's PHEI facilities. Originality/value Beyond reawakening construction professionals, relevant government authorities and policymakers to design-and-build inclusiveness, the outcome would advance the achievement of SDGs (4, 8, 10, 11 and 17) related to PwDs in PHEI facilities.