New Horizons Technologies has rallied Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem for improved support for the visually impaired persons in the society.

The Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Nigeria, Timothy Akano, made the plea in Lagos during his visit to the Federal School of the Blind, Oshodi, Lagos, as part of activities to celebrate his birthday.

He said visually impaired persons possessed untapped potential that could contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s ICT development if given the right opportunities.

Speaking at the event, he emphasised the need for deliberate efforts to equip visually impaired students with relevant digital skills.

According to him, access to ICT tools, training and mentorship remains critical to enabling them to compete favourably in the sector.
New Horizons Nigeria is an ICT Training and Exam testing institute with over 20 years of cognitive experience in Nigeria.

“There is a need to provide the visually impaired with the right skills and resources to enable them to realise their potential.

“With the right support systems, they can perform just as well as anyone else in areas such as data analysis, artificial intelligence and software development,” Akano said.

He noted that inclusive policies must be matched with effective implementation to address the challenges faced by the physically challenged.

“Policies supporting inclusion already exist, but implementation remains a major gap.

“What is required is sustained commitment from stakeholders to ensure that these policies translate into real opportunities,” he said.

He urged organisations to adopt inclusive employment practices by creating opportunities for the physically challenged.

“If more organisations are intentional about inclusion, it will go a long way in addressing unemployment among vulnerable groups,” he said.

Akano said his engagement with the Federal School for the Blind, which he adopted three years ago, was part of efforts to demonstrate what targeted support could achieve.

He said that his organisation’s interventions at the school had focused on the provision of computers, Internet access and other ICT tools, as well as training for students.

Akano cited the example of a student who, after undergoing ICT training, was now teaching others in the school, describing it as evidence of the multiplier effect of such initiatives.

According to him, empowering one individual can create a ripple effect that benefits many others within the community. He stressed that society must shift from viewing physically challenged persons through the lens of limitation to recognising their abilities.

“No individual is without value. What is often lacking is the enabling environment for people to thrive,” he said.