UN group calls for disability inclusion in private sector

On Wednesday, April 26, the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria and the international NGO Sightsavers co-hosted a virtual session to examine how private sector businesses in Nigeria and throughout West Africa may mainstream disability inclusion in their workplaces.

In her opening remarks, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Naomi Nwokolo, highlighted that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations are not complete without the inclusion of people with disabilities.

“As business leaders and corporate citizens, we have a responsibility to ensure that our organizations are inclusive and accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Disability inclusion is not just a moral imperative; it is also a business imperative.

“Studies have shown that companies that embrace diversity and inclusion, including disability inclusion, are more innovative, productive, and profitable than those that do not,” she added.

During his keynote speech, Deputy Technical Director of Economic Empowerment at Sightsavers, Simon Brown, said, “Disability inclusion is not just the right thing to do ethically; it’s also good for business, The global economy loses six trillion US dollars each year because of the exclusion of persons with disabilities. To close that gap, key players in the private sector must be willing to create policies that are inclusive of all people.”