Abuja, Nigeria – May 1, 2025 — As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark International Workers’ Day 2025, the JOMIDA Foundation for Persons With Disabilities has called for urgent action toward creating decent, inclusive, and accessible workspaces for persons with disabilities across the country. The Foundation also issued a passionate reminder to government agencies and employers alike on the need to fully implement Section 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which mandates a five percent employment quota for persons with disabilities.
In a powerful statement released to commemorate this year’s May Day celebration, Comrade Chris Agbo, Executive Director of JOMIDA Foundation and a renowned disability rights advocate, hailed the resilience of workers with disabilities who, despite numerous barriers, continue to contribute immensely to the economic and social development of the country.
“Workers with disabilities are not looking for handouts. They are looking for fairness, for dignity, and for a seat at the table,” Comrade Agbo said. “We cannot keep ignoring the law and expect progress. Section 29 of the Disability Act is not a suggestion—it’s a mandate, and it must be enforced without further delay.”
An Unfulfilled Legal Promise
Signed into law in 2019 and with a five-year implementation grace period that ended in January 2024, the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act was hailed as a milestone in Nigeria’s disability rights journey. Section 29 of the Act specifically addresses employment, prohibiting discrimination and requiring employers to ensure accessibility and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in the workplace.
However, more than a year after the expiration of the moratorium, many public and private sector institutions continue to operate in ways that effectively exclude persons with disabilities from gainful employment. From inaccessible office buildings to a lack of reasonable accommodations and biased hiring practices, the reality is a stark contradiction of the law’s intent.
“The time for empty rhetoric is over,” Agbo insisted. “The government must begin to walk the talk by ensuring that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) lead by example in complying with the 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities.”
Backed by Global Commitments
JOMIDA Foundation also reminded the nation that Nigeria’s commitment to disability-inclusive employment goes beyond domestic law. As a signatory to several international treaties, the country is duty-bound to promote the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others.
Among these international frameworks are:
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 27, which emphasizes the right to employment in an inclusive and accessible labour market.
- ILO Convention No. 159, which promotes vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for disabled persons.
- The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, which uphold the principles of equality, dignity, and access to work for all persons.
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – especially Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, and Goal 10 on reduced inequalities – both of which reinforce the importance of inclusive economic participation.
“Nigeria cannot continue to pledge allegiance to these global commitments at international forums while failing to act on them at home,” Agbo warned.
Workplaces Still Inaccessible
A recent spot check by JOMIDA Foundation revealed that most government and private establishments in Nigeria remain largely inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Office entrances without ramps, absence of sign language interpreters, lack of assistive technologies, and employers’ reluctance to consider persons with disabilities during recruitment are still the norm rather than the exception.
“It is not enough to have a law; the spirit of the law must be reflected in everyday practice,” said Agbo. “Inclusive employment is not charity—it is smart economics. Studies have consistently shown that diverse and inclusive workforces outperform non-diverse ones in productivity, creativity, and employee satisfaction.”
A Broader Movement for Change
To mark this year’s Workers’ Day, JOMIDA Foundation is also calling on the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively in enforcing compliance with the law. The Foundation advocates for:
- Stronger monitoring and evaluation systems
- Sensitization programs for employers
- Disability inclusion audits in workplaces
- Funding for assistive technologies and workplace adaptations
- Enabling policies that encourage inclusive recruitment
Trade unions, professional bodies, and civil society organizations were also encouraged to mainstream disability issues in their advocacy and to serve as watchdogs in ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all categories of workers.
Looking Ahead
As the sun sets on another Workers’ Day celebration, JOMIDA Foundation is reminding Nigeria that the true spirit of May Day lies in solidarity, justice, and inclusion. The Foundation’s leadership believes that a fairer world of work is possible—one where workers are not judged by their physical ability but by their skill, passion, and commitment.
“Let this May Day be the turning point,” Agbo concluded. “Let it be the day we stop seeing disability as inability and start building the inclusive Nigeria we all deserve. When we make room for everyone, we build a stronger nation.”
About JOMIDA Foundation
JOMIDA Foundation for Persons With Disabilities is a disability rights organization committed to promoting inclusion, equality, and socio-economic empowerment for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships, the Foundation works to dismantle systemic barriers and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities.
