MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with Accesstech Innovation and Research Centre, has called on Nigerians, organizations, and individuals to stop stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities and instead promote inclusion by creating employment opportunities for them in both public and private sectors.
Speaking at the International Day for Persons with Disabilities held at Falomo, Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accesstech Innovation and Research Centre, Mr Opeolu Akinola, said the theme for this year’s event is “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
He stated that his organisation partnered with MTN Nigeria to host an inclusive game day for persons with disabilities to compete alongside individuals without disabilities.
He noted, “Persons with disabilities participated in indoor games against non-disabled persons who are staff members of MTN Nigeria. We also showcased exhibitions of devices designed to enhance the education, healthcare, and employment of persons with disabilities, allowing people to see and engage with these tools.”
Akinola said that inclusive games provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to compete with non-disabled individuals, demonstrating their ability to excel not only in games but also in the workplace.
In his opening remarks, Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, represented by Babalola Oyeleye, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, said, “MTN is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as creating a convenient and accessible environment for our customers, employees, and all 27 million Nigerians living with visible and invisible disabilities.
“We are committed to working with our ecosystem partners to collaborate and ensure that we continue to design purpose-based products for persons with disabilities. A lot has been done, but there is still much we can do. We will work together to make this happen.”
Toriola highlighted the global statistics, saying, “Currently, an estimated 1.3 billion people globally are persons with disabilities, about 16 per cent of the world’s population. The unemployment rate is higher for those with disabilities compared to those without disabilities due to various barriers such as educational, attitudinal, and institutional challenges.”
The keynote speaker at the event, Consultant Disability Inclusion expert Dr Toyin Aderemi-Balogun, stressed the need to nurture persons with disabilities, enabling them to become leaders across all sectors and levels rather than subjecting them to discrimination.
She urged organisations to create spaces for persons with disabilities to participate fully and embrace inclusion by offering them employment opportunities.
Dr. Aderemi-Balogun pointed out that statistics indicate that 35.8 million people in Nigeria were living with disabilities at the end of 2023, stressing that this population should not be left to endure poverty and hardship.
She further called on the government to create an enabling environment for organizations to thrive and employ persons with disabilities in the workplace.
An MTN staff member, Chiamaka Ohalete, who is part of the disability community, shared an inspiring story about her journey with MTN Nigeria and the warm welcome she received from her colleagues.
