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By Johnson Adebowale
On December 3, 2024, Dr. Aderemi Balogun, a person living with disability and a renowned keynote speaker, presented a powerful paper at the “Games Inclusion Day,” revealing that 35.8 million individuals in Nigeria have been living with disabilities since 2023. The event, organized by AccessTech Innovation Research Center in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
Balogun’s address emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive inclusion of persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in all facets of life, underscoring the importance of accessibility, empowerment, and representation. The theme for this year’s IDPD, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” calls for a renewed perspective on disability and leadership.
“In Nigeria, people with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles across public service, political, and business sectors,” Balogun stated.
He highlighted that societal stigma, lack of access to quality education, infrastructural barriers, and discriminatory policies are major factors contributing to this underrepresentation. Cultural narratives that undermine the capabilities of PWDs, along with systemic failures to implement inclusive policies, exacerbate their marginalization.
Balogun called on all stakeholders to persistently advocate for inclusiveness in all human endeavors. The gathering drew attention from various organizations, emphasizing the critical importance of including PWDs in leadership roles and decision-making processes.
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Opeolu Akinola, CEO of AccessTech Innovation and Research Center and a visually impaired individual, echoed Dr. Balogun’s sentiments. He underscored the urgent need for total inclusiveness and accessibility for PWDs in Nigeria. Akinola urged PWDs to arm themselves with requisite skills and learning to qualify for leadership roles, emphasizing that this year’s theme is a clarion call to recognize and empower PWDs as leaders.
Akinola said: “AccessTech Innovation and Research Center collaborated with MTN Nigeria to host inclusive games at the MTN plaza. We also set up an exhibition stand where PWDs could access devices to help them advance their skills and create employment opportunities. The inclusive games programme aligns with today’s theme of leadership and inclusion, fostering equality and support.”
The event provided a platform for PWDs to engage in dialogue, discussing issues affecting them, particularly their underrepresentation in leadership roles. The gathering emphasized the importance of inclusivity, attitudinal change, and societal awareness in achieving a truly inclusive and sustainable future for PWDs in Nigeria.
Balogun and Akinola called for robust disability-inclusive policies, continuous advocacy, and capacity-building programs. They stressed that the government, civil society organizations, and the private sector must collaborate to create opportunities and foster an environment where PWDs can thrive as leaders.
As Nigeria observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the voices of Balogun and Akinola resonate as a powerful reminder of the need to break barriers and amplify the leadership of persons with disabilities, ensuring their active participation in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
