TheCable

Project Enable Africa (PEA), an advocate for the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, has urged Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, to be disability inclusive in the formulation of policies.

In a statement issued by the non-governmental organisation,  Olusola Owonikoko, the executive director of PEA, applauded the talent training initiative and the ongoing efforts to formulate such a framework. 

Owonikoko, however, emphasised the critical need for disability inclusion throughout the initiative, adding that there are 30 million Nigerians with disabilities who represent a significant part of Nigeria’s population.

He further said the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs)  “is essential for a diversified and thriving economy”.

“We recommend integrating disability inclusion into all aspects of the framework, in compliance with the Nigerian Disability Act,” he said. 

Specifically, PEA recommends the following:

1. Consultation and compliance with the Nigerian Disability Act to ensure inclusive digital hubs nationwide.
2. Development of an inclusive digital training curriculum, modules, and programs catering to diverse disability needs.
3. Allocating 5% of training opportunities and job placements within the framework exclusively for persons with disabilities, in adherence to the Act.
4. Inclusion of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) as key stakeholders during the framework’s implementation.

In addition, Owonikoko said, “ensuring disability inclusion aligns with sustainable development goals” which promotes a “faster journey towards achieving the 95% Digital Literacy target by 2030”.

“We look forward to the integration of persons with disabilities into the One Million Technical Talents Training, fostering a more inclusive journey towards a robust Nigerian digital economy.”