The Federal Government has raised concerns over the growing digital divide in Nigeria, warning that it continues to deepen existing inequalities, particularly in rural, underserved, and hard-to-reach communities.
This concern was voiced by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, during the Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts Roundtable held Thursday in Abuja. The event was organised by Jobberman Nigeria in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation under the Young Nigeria Works programme.
Hon. Isa stressed that displaced persons and young women in marginalised communities remain underrepresented in digital and tech-driven opportunities. “Though resilient, these groups often lack access to digital tools that can connect them to meaningful work,” he said.
He called for practical and scalable solutions to close the digital gap and ensure inclusive economic participation, while also advocating for the implementation of a minimum 5% employment quota for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in public institutions. He further urged the amendment of the National Disability Act to extend this requirement to the private sector.
“No qualified person with a disability should be excluded from the workforce,” Isa declared, adding that inclusion must move from policy to practice. He noted that the roundtable aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and upholds the spirit of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Rosy Fynn, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to enabling inclusive economic growth. She said the roundtable complements their mission to connect 30 million young Africans—especially women—to dignified employment by 2030.
“Inclusion must not be a side issue; it must be at the centre of how systems are designed,” Fynn emphasized.
CEO of The African Talent Company, parent company of Jobberman, Hilda Kabushenga, stressed that as the future of work evolves, technology must be used as a tool for equity, not exclusion. “These conversations are about access, opportunity, and fairness,” she said.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a new research report titled “Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts.” The report explores how job boards, gig and remote work platforms, and social media can help marginalised populations access meaningful employment. It also identifies key barriers such as low digital literacy, high data costs, and discriminatory hiring practices.
Findings show that 88% of employers do not hire from marginalised groups, while 72% make no efforts towards inclusive recruitment. Yet, despite these challenges, over half of PWDs and 44% of displaced women have found employment, mostly through self-employment in agriculture and creative sectors.
Breakout sessions during the event focused on the needs of three vulnerable groups: women in disadvantaged communities, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). These sessions fostered dialogue, policy input, and real-world solutions.
The event brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, private sector, and digital platforms. Insights gathered will inform future employment programming, platform design, and advocacy as part of the broader Young Nigeria Works agenda aimed at scaling inclusive work opportunities for young Nigerians.