Disability Inclusion in Corporate Nigeria: A Call to Action for Private Sector Employers

Strategic Insights -

Private-sector employers in Nigeria and across West Africa are being urged to advance disability inclusion in their workplaces and operations, following a virtual event attended by representatives from the UN, private sector, and civil society. Disability inclusion is not only a moral imperative but also a business imperative, with studies showing that companies that embrace diversity and inclusion, including disability inclusion, are more innovative, productive, and profitable than those that do not. The event, organized by the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria and Sightsavers, highlighted the need for private sector employers to actively involve persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in decision-making processes, ensure accessibility in all aspects of their operations, and develop disability-specific policies and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Global Compact Network Nigeria and Sightsavers have urged private sector employers in Nigeria and across West Africa to advance disability inclusion in their workplaces and operations.
  • Persons with disabilities have a higher risk of being unemployed, resulting in a global economy loss of about 6 trillion US dollars each year due to exclusion.
  • Disability inclusion is an integral part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a business imperative, as companies that embrace diversity and inclusion, including disability inclusion, are more innovative, productive, and profitable.
  • The three disability-confident companies, Access Bank, MTN Foundation, and Unilever, shared their best practices for implementing inclusive policies.
  • Companies were called to commit to improving their disability inclusion efforts by aligning with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and partnering with Sightsavers' employment initiative.
  • Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, emphasized that business leaders and corporate organizations have the responsibility to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all, including persons with disabilities.
  • Simon Brown, Deputy Technical Director of Economic Empowerment at Sightsavers, stated, "Disability inclusion is not just the right thing to do ethically; it's also good for business."

Statistics:

  • About 16 percent of the world's 8 billion people (representing one in every six persons) experience significant disability.
  • Persons with disabilities have a higher risk of being unemployed compared to their non-disabled counterparts.
  • The global economy loses about 6 trillion US dollars each year as a result of disability exclusion.
  • 1.3 billion persons worldwide live with disabilities.

Sources:

  • Voice of Nigeria
  • World Health Organisation
  • UN Global Compact Network Nigeria
  • Sightsavers