Nigeria, Jan. 24 -- President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday signed into law, the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

The bill which has lingered in the National Assembly for 18 years, seeks to criminalise discrimination against persons with disabilities.

This bill was passed by the 8th Senate on March 28, 2018. In December, it was transmitted to the president for assent for the 4th time since 1999.

According to Ita Enang, the president's National Assembly liaison officer, who announced the assent on Wednesday night, the new bill would see corporate entities and individuals face sanctions if found guilty of discriminating against persons with impairments.

The signing of the bill however, comes days after...