By Agbo Christian Obiora
Lagos, Nigeria – May 2025
In a landmark move toward inclusive economic empowerment, The IREDE Foundation (TIF) has officially launched its Inclusive Hiring Toolkit to key leaders within the Lagos State Government. The initiative, which forms part of the Foundation’s broader Disability Empowerment and Employability Project (DEEP), is set to revolutionize how government institutions, private enterprises, and civil society organizations in Nigeria approach the employment of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
The unveiling took place during a high-level advocacy visit to the
Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and it signals a renewed commitment to dismantling barriers that continue to hinder the full inclusion of PWDs in Nigeria’s workforce.
Empowering Change Through Strategy and Partnership
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of The IREDE Foundation, Mrs. Crystal Chigbu, passionately presented the toolkit to the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal.
“This toolkit is a powerful step in removing barriers and changing the employment narrative for persons with disabilities. It’s not just a document — it’s a strategic guide for building inclusive workspaces where everyone, regardless of ability, has a chance to thrive,” Chigbu said.
She further emphasized that the toolkit will serve as a compass for organizations looking to adopt inclusive hiring practices and create environments that not only accommodate, but also celebrate, diversity.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Disability Inclusion
In a show of support, Commissioner Ogunlende commended The IREDE Foundation and affirmed the Lagos State Government’s readiness to implement the toolkit’s recommendations.
“This initiative is timely and necessary. The toolkit gives us a clear roadmap for inclusion, and we are committed to ensuring that it is fully implemented across relevant sectors. We are not just making promises; we are making progress,” he stated.
Echoing his sentiment, LASODA’s General Manager, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal, underscored the importance of private sector involvement in the inclusive hiring agenda. “We must share success stories to build trust and demonstrate that inclusive hiring is not only possible, but beneficial to organizations. The private sector is a key stakeholder in scaling this impact,” she added.
Looking Ahead: A Summit for Solutions
The unveiling of the toolkit is just one part of a broader movement. In July 2025, TIF will host a DEEP Stakeholder Summit — a convergence of employers, advocates, government officials, and policymakers — to explore lasting solutions and expand economic access for PWDs across Nigeria.
The summit will spotlight inclusive practices, challenge stigmas, and serve as a catalyst for coordinated action. With a target to train 150 persons with disabilities and secure at least 20 internship placements, TIF is building more than advocacy; it is laying the foundation for sustainable, system-wide change.
From Advocacy to Action
Since its establishment in 2012, The IREDE Foundation has been a beacon of hope for children living with limb loss, offering prosthetic limbs, psychosocial support, and platforms for inclusion. Now, with the launch of this hiring toolkit and the ongoing DEEP project, the Foundation is expanding its reach — championing not only access to mobility, but also access to opportunity.
As the Nigerian disability movement gathers momentum, TIF’s bold step reinforces the urgent need for organizations, both public and private, to move from compliance to commitment in their approach to inclusion.
The Inclusive Hiring Toolkit is more than a resource — it’s a call to action, and Lagos is listening.
About The IREDE Foundation
The IREDE Foundation (TIF) is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring action so that child amputees, their families, and caregivers can live independent and fulfilling lives. Since its inception in 2012, TIF has provided prosthetic limbs to children aged 0–18 living with limb loss (either congenital or acquired), while also offering advocacy, caregiver support groups, and skills development training for persons with disabilities.
