The Commission’s Director-General, Dr John Asein, disclosed the plan in a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to mark White Cane Day 2026, observed under the theme, “Promoting Independence, Inclusion and Equal Access for Persons Who Are Blind.”

Asein said the proposed platform would provide a central, reliable source for locating accessible publications and connecting eligible readers with materials that support education, research, professional development and participation in cultural life.

According to him, the portal is expected to help authorised organisations identify available materials, limit unnecessary duplication of accessible-format production and strengthen cooperation among authors, publishers, libraries, schools, disability organisations and other stakeholders.

He emphasised that difficulty accessing conventional printed books should not prevent anyone from acquiring knowledge or participating fully in society.

The initiative is linked to the principles of the Marrakesh Treaty, an international agreement designed to improve access to published works for people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise unable to read standard print. The framework allows eligible beneficiaries and authorised entities to produce and distribute accessible copies under specified conditions, including provisions that facilitate cross-border exchange.

Asein said that although legal provisions exist to support access to published works, more practical measures are needed to ensure that eligible readers can find and obtain the materials they require. The proposed portal is intended to help bridge that gap through a more organised and accessible system.

He called on authors and publishers to work with the Commission to expand the availability of books in formats such as Braille, audio and accessible digital text, where appropriate.

The NCC chief also encouraged the adoption of “born accessible” publishing, which involves designing books and digital publications from the outset to work with screen readers and other assistive technologies. He said accessibility should be incorporated into publishing processes from the beginning rather than treated as a later adjustment.

Asein noted that the Commission’s current efforts build on its “Let the Blind Read” campaign and ongoing engagement with organisations representing blind people, publishers, libraries, educational institutions, technology providers and development partners.

He stressed that inaccessible textbooks should not become a barrier to a child’s education and that people should not be excluded from knowledge because of how they read.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting equitable access to published works and urged stakeholders across Nigeria’s publishing and education sectors to support the effort.

The proposed portal could become an important resource for readers with print disabilities, although its practical impact will depend on implementation, the range of materials available and effective collaboration with publishers and authorised organisations.