Nigeria

Region: Africa

Disability Definition

“Disabled person” means a person who has received premilminary or permanent certificate of disability to have condition which is expected to continue permanently or for a considerable length of time which can reasonably be expected to limit the person’s functional ability substantially, but not limited to seeing, hearing, thinking, ambulating, climbing, descending, lifting, grasping, rising, any related function or any limitation due to weakness or significantly decreased endurance so that he cannot perform his everyday routine, living and working without significantly increased hardship and vulnerability to everyday obstacles and hazards.

Reference: https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/56134/97302/F1427377159/NGA56134.pdf

Legislation

Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018: Provides for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the society and establishes the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and vests the Commission with the responsibilities for their education, health care, social, economic and civil rights.
Part VI – Opportunity for employment and participation in politics and public life
Equal right to work; Opportunity for employment; Participation in politics
Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018
Nigerians with Disability Decree 1993: Disabled persons shall be guaranteed treatment as equals to other Nigerians for all purposes in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Accordingly, it shall be the duty and responsibility of organs of government and of all authorities and persons to adopt and promote policies that will ensure full integration of the disabled into the mainstream of the society.

Employer Legal Requirements

Part VI – Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act: A person with a disability has the right to work on an equal basis with others and this includes the right to opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labor market and work environment that is open.

“All employers of labor in public organizations shall, as much as possible, have persons with disabilities constituting at least 5% of their employment.”

Accessibility Requirements

Part II – Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act:
A person with disability has the right to access the physical environment and buildings on an equal basis with others.
A public building shall be constructed with the necessary accessibility aids such as lifts (where necessary), ramps and any other facility that shall make them accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

Cultural Norms

Access to employment in Nigeria for persons with disabilities is difficult because of the strong correlation between poverty and disability.

“Despite many disability initiatives, accessibility to employment opportunity is far from being achieved for people with disability in Nigeria. The poor perception of disability and people living with it has fueled the lackluster attitude of governments in terms of policy direction and action on the provision of equal employment for PWD.”

Rights of People with Disability in Nigeria: Attitude and Commitment

Business Practices/Examples

Additional content coming soon.

Insights

The World Health Organization’s World Disability Report from 2011 says that about 15 percent of Nigeria’s population, approximately 25 million people, have a disability.

Supplier Diversity

Additional content coming soon.

Talent Sourcing Resources

Additional content coming soon.

Additional Resources

Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Nigeria Chapter – Provides information and advocacy for people with disabilities.

NGOs

Additional content coming soon.
Go to Top