Presidential aide seeks 5% job quota in private sector for PWDs
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for an amendment to the National Disability Act to require a minimum five per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in private institutions. Isa made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a roundtable on […]
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for an amendment to the National Disability Act to require a minimum five per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in private institutions.
Isa made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a roundtable on Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts.
The event was convened by Jobberman Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Young Nigeria Works programme.
The roundtable brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society, digital platforms, and development organisations to explore ways to address systemic barriers and unlock opportunities within the digital employment ecosystem for Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups—particularly women in underserved communities, PWDs, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
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Isa noted that PWDs continue to face widespread exclusion from employment opportunities, while displaced persons, despite their resilience, often lack access to digital tools and resources.
He stressed the need to build inclusive digital ecosystems that offer equitable access to employment and economic dignity for all Nigerians.
Isa said, “As the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, I have consistently advocated for the full implementation of the minimum 5% employment quota for PWDs in public institutions.
“However, we must go a step further—I call for an urgent amendment to the National Disability Act to extend this quota to the private sector. No qualified person with a disability should be excluded from contributing meaningfully to our economy.”
In her opening remarks, Hilda Kabushenga, CEO of The African Talent Company (parent company of Jobberman), urged the government to incentivize private sector employers to adopt disability inclusion policies, such as income tax exemptions and investment-related tax rebates.
“Technology must be a tool for inclusion, not division. As the world of work continues to evolve, we must ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Rosy Fynn, Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive economic growth.
“This roundtable aligns with our goal of enabling 30 million young Africans—especially young women—to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
“Inclusion is not a side conversation. It is the main agenda. We must create systems where marginalised groups are not just considered but prioritised,” Fynn said.
Panelists at the event called for deliberate policies to boost employment for PWDs across both public and private sectors.