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During the 2024 Nigeria Diversity and Inclusion Conference, stakeholders emphasized the importance of including individuals with disabilities in the workforce.
The event, themed Disability Inclusion in Corporate Sustainability, took place at the Access Holdings headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday.
Hosted by the Nigeria Business Disability Network, the conference provided a platform for private sector players, civil society, public sector organizations, and the disability community to engage in discussions about disability inclusion in corporate sustainability.
The second Nigeria Diversity and Inclusion Conference, organized by the Nigeria Business Disability Network, provides a platform for private sector, civil society, public sector organizations, and other groups to come together and discuss disability inclusion in corporate sustainability.
Senior Global Advisor at Save the Children International,Dr. Toyin Aderemi highlighted the high unemployment rate among persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities.
She urged members of the NBDN to embrace diversity and inclusion, emphasizing the potential of the network to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Nigeria by promoting the benefits of inclusion for businesses.
Aderemi believes that the network has the potential to become a major success in the future by motivating members to promote diversity and inclusion.
This can be achieved through embracing inclusive policies and culture at the organizational level, raising awareness about disability, using inclusive language, and preventing discrimination.
Additionally, leadership should champion disability inclusion. At the operational level, the network should focus on providing accessible infrastructure, communication, information, procurement, and transportation.
It should also prioritize the principle of universal design in its products.
She stated that an inclusive workplace is essential for nurturing talents, increasing productivity, and driving collective progress and success.
"We have embarked on the journey towards inclusion, and I firmly believe that there's no turning back. The road may be challenging, but the encouraging news is that we are heading in the right direction," she emphasized.
In her opening speech, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, the Chairman of NBDN and Head of Sustainability at Access Holdings, stressed the growing importance of providing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all sectors.
Incorporating disability into Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) not only enhances company value and benefits shareholders but also diminishes workplace inequality.
According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 1.3 billion people globally living with disabilities, with over 25 million residing in Nigeria.
