In a significant move to reshape Nigeria's labour landscape, Jobberman Nigeria, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has doubled down on its mission to ensure inclusive access to employment for the nation's youth. The focus has now sharpened on integrating persons with disabilities into the workforce as part of the second phase of its flagship programme, Young Nigeria Works.
A Call for Incentives Over Penalties
The organisations are advocating for a fundamental shift in policy approach at all government levels. They are calling for strengthened policy implementation and the introduction of incentive-based measures, such as tax rebates, to motivate employers to hire persons with disabilities. The core argument is that inclusion is more effectively driven by rewards than by punitive measures.
Olamide Adeyeye, the Country Head of Programme at Jobberman Nigeria, addressed this at the AbilityX Project Enable Africa inclusion event. He clarified that the initiative is designed to support millions of young Nigerians in transitioning to decent work while dismantling structural barriers in the labour market.
“A common misconception is that accommodating persons with disabilities demands huge financial investment,” Adeyeye stated. “In reality, it often requires little to no cost. What major structural change is needed for someone with albinism or a speech impairment? Frequently, it's about minor adjustments and a shift in awareness.”
He directly appealed to policymakers, especially with upcoming tax reforms in 2026, to consider embedding incentives for organisations that demonstrate inclusive hiring practices.
Voices from the Community: Beyond Awareness to Action
Participants living with disabilities at the event provided crucial insights, urging both corporate entities and the government to move from talk to tangible action. They emphasized that intentional design and a change in attitude are non-negotiable for meaningful inclusion in workplaces and public spaces across Nigeria.
Olowu Oluwakemi, a person with a disability, highlighted that inclusion starts with simple, deliberate actions to remove daily barriers. She pointed out that persons with disabilities constitute an estimated 15 per cent of Nigeria's population, representing not just a moral imperative but a substantial economic and social opportunity for employers.
“Attitudinal barriers remain a major hurdle,” Oluwakemi noted, explaining that many still wrongly equate disability with illness. She called for improved physical accessibility and policies that are reviewed to reflect the actual realities of persons with disabilities.
Another participant, Jessica Hyacinth, who has albinism, praised the event for focusing on practical, experience-based solutions. She stressed that inclusion depends on whether individuals are considered from the planning and recruitment stages, rather than being forced to adapt to non-inclusive systems later.
“There is no universal solution for disability inclusion,” Hyacinth explained. “Adjustments—be it specialised screens, devices, or infrastructure—must be tailored to individual needs.” She identified poor information and stigma as key obstacles and urged the government to directly involve persons with disabilities in policy formulation.
Ensuring Commitments Lead to Concrete Outcomes
To translate dialogue into results, Project Enable Africa has established a structured follow-up mechanism. Olalekan Owonikoko, the Executive Director, revealed a six-month post-event engagement framework to ensure promises made by partners materialise into concrete actions.
This framework involves sustained follow-ups with participating organisations to monitor progress, offer technical support, and tackle implementation challenges. It will include collaboration meetings, support for innovative inclusion solutions, and mid-cycle and end-cycle reviews to measure impact.
“Our goal is to ensure the ideas generated here lead to real investments, expanded opportunities, and measurable improvements for persons with disabilities in workplaces and communities nationwide,” Owonikoko affirmed.
The collective push from Jobberman, the Mastercard Foundation, and disability advocates marks a critical step towards a more equitable and productive Nigerian economy, where talent is not overlooked due to disability.
