Business network ‘ll bridge employment gap for people with disabilities – Chair

The Nigeria Business and Disability Network (NBDN) says it plans to launch an app designed to connect People With Disabilities (PWD) with potential employers.
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Chairperson of NBDN and Head of Sustainability at Access Corporation, unveiled this initiative during the NBDN 2024 Annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference held on Wednesday in Lagos.
The conference, hosted by Access Bank, centered around the theme, “Disability Inclusion in Corporate Sustainability”.
It aimed to address the challenges faced by PWDs in accessing employment opportunities.
Victor-Laniyan emphasised the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space for PWDs, stating that the app would alleviate the hardships and discrimination they often encounter during job searches.
“The app will serve as a platform for PWDs to access job opportunities and receive guidance on CV writing and other necessary skills,” she explained.
She further highlighted that the app would enable employers to post job vacancies and search for potential candidates, facilitating a seamless connection between PWDs and employers.
While the launch date of the app is pending due to ongoing partnerships, Victor-Laniyan reassured attendees of NBDN’s commitment to advocating the rights of PWDs despite challenges in data collection.
In her opening speech, Victor-Laniyan underscored the need for increased employment opportunities for PWDs and urged corporates to integrate them into suitable roles based on qualifications.
The conference featured panel discussions and keynote addresses from industry experts, including Dr James Lalu from the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ms Adenike Oyetunde from the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).