The Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Inclusion Ltd, Kolawole Jaiyeoba, has called on the Nigerian government and private sector players to take concrete steps to promote inclusivity for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), noting that progress remains slow despite existing laws.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV in commemoration of the 2025 Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Jaiyeoba stressed the need to move beyond tokenism to meaningful action that ensures digital accessibility for all.
“This day has been marked for the past 14 years across the globe,” Jaiyeoba explained, “but unfortunately, in Nigeria, awareness remains very low. Not enough people understand what digital accessibility really means, let alone why it matters.”
“29 million people are living with disability in Nigreria. That’s a lot a number that we cannot just let go. They need to be taken along with what is happening, changes within the society. They need to be carried along as much as it is possible.
“Disability inclusion is everyone’s business. We shouldn’t have discussion of disability inclusion with persons with disability alone,“ he noted.
He acknowledged that while Nigeria has taken some steps—such as enacting the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act—implementation remains weak, especially in the digital space.
“The world is rapidly shifting towards a digital future,” he continued. “Everything from banking to education, healthcare to government services is increasingly digital. If we do not prioritize accessibility in these systems, then we are excluding millions of people from fully participating in society.”
Referencing recent data, Jaiyeoba highlighted the staggering number of Nigerians living with some form of disability.
He argued that inclusive digital practices—such as screen reader-friendly websites, sign language interpretation for videos, voice commands, and user interfaces designed for persons with limited mobility—must become the standard, not the exception.
“Disability inclusion is everyone’s business,” Jaiyeoba declared. “It shouldn’t just be a conversation among people with disabilities or limited to disability advocacy groups. Tech developers, policymakers, corporate organizations, and even educators must all play a role in building an inclusive society.”
He called on government institutions, tech companies, and the private sector to intentionally integrate accessibility standards into digital infrastructure, and urged the media to amplify disability voices and stories.
“Creating an inclusive Nigeria is not a favour we do to the disabled community—it is a responsibility and a necessary step toward a fairer society,” Jaiyeoba concluded.
As Nigeria moves forward in its digital transformation agenda, the voices of 29 million citizens living with disabilities must not be sidelined. Global Accessibility Awareness Day serves as a timely reminder that digital equity is not just a goal—it is a right.
