Jobberman Nigeria, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, hosted the inaugural Forum for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan.
The event, themed “Empowered to Achieve More,” aimed to provide practical advice for PWDs on growing small businesses and advancing career aspirations.
Attendees expressed gratitude and excitement, highlighting how the forum renewed their hope and offered valuable insights to help them start or expand their businesses. One participant noted how, unlike other empowerment events, she felt truly seen and appreciated the accessibility of the venue. A business owner, focused on creating accessible products, shared how the panel session provided solutions to his business challenges.
Keynote speaker Barr. Ayodele Adekanmbi, Director General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, addressed the issues faced by the state’s 2 million PWDs, including limited access to training, education, and funding. He praised Jobberman’s efforts and called on more organizations to support PWDs.
The Q&A session was interactive, with participants asking about tailoring CVs and overcoming challenges related to disabilities in the job market. Jobberman’s Head of Partnerships, Ahmed Alaga, reaffirmed their commitment to inclusivity through the PWD Forum, alongside other initiatives like the She’s More program, aimed at training 500,000 women in business skills.