Distanced working, digital skills and emotional intelligence – that’s what businesses in Nigeria are looking for from jobseekers, according to a new report.
The Labour Market Assessment 2021 report, published by Inclusive Futures, also highlighted that while these attributes are possessed by many people with disabilities, jobseekers feel businesses continue to consciously discriminate against them.
“Businesses across Nigeria have been disrupted by Covid and are looking at how to build back inclusively but only a few among them are thinking of ensuring they are disability inclusive,” said Dr Sunday Isiyaku, the Country Director for Sightsavers in Nigeria.
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“Our report shows that employers are recognising that distanced working is the new norm, requiring digital skills and prioritising soft skills like empathy and resilience. But at the same time jobseekers with disabilities feel they are still being discriminated against, whatever their capabilities. People with disabilities have the skills to bring huge benefits to businesses but generally aren’t being considered.”
Progress has been seen in Nigeria with the enacting of the Discrimination Against People with Disability (Prohibition) Act, requiring companies to reserve 5% of their workforces to peoples with disabilities. But the report highlights that leaders of Organisations of People with Disabilities feel that the Act is little known or acted upon.
Ola Ehinmoro, HR Director, West Africa Unilever, said: “More work needs to be done to socialize the disability act in Nigeria. However, organisations like Unilever are pushing the frontiers by driving internal inclusive behaviours and deploying Persons With Disabilities to value across its West Africa Markets.”