A new report by Jobberman Nigeria has revealed that nearly 9 in 10 employers in Nigeria exclude marginalised groups from their recruitment processes, highlighting a stark inequality in access to employment opportunities for the most vulnerable segments of the population.
The report, presented at the Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts Roundtable held recently in Abuja, shows significant barriers faced by women in disadvantaged communities, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons in the country’s digital employment landscape.
The event, convened by Jobberman in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Young Nigeria Works programme, brought together key stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, digital platforms, and development organisations.
In her opening remarks, the CEO of The African Talent Company, the parent company of Jobberman, Hilda Kabushenga, emphasised that technology must serve as a force for inclusion rather than division.
“Technology can and must be a force for inclusion, not division. As the world of work evolves, we must ensure that no one is left behind. Today’s conversations are not just about technology, they are about equity, access, and opportunity,” she said.
Also speaking, the Group Executive of Human Capital & Corporate Services at Sterling Financial Holdings, Temi Dalley, emphasised the transformative potential of technology in reshaping employment opportunities. She highlighted the stark digital divide, pointing out that technology can only be an equaliser when it is inclusive, equitable, and accessible.
Dalley stressed the importance of intentional efforts to bridge gaps, urging stakeholders to move beyond technology as a mere tool and focus on creating a level playing field for marginalised groups.
She also called for collaboration between governments, businesses, and NGOs to invest in digital infrastructure and skills, emphasising that inclusion should not be seen as a charity but as a fundamental pillar for innovation and growth.
A keynote address by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Abba Isa, focused on the need to build inclusive digital ecosystems that provide equitable access to jobs and economic dignity for all Nigerians.
Isa, who was represented by his Director of Media and Communications, Lanre Oloyede, commended Jobberman Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation for organising the roundtable, which aims to address critical barriers faced by marginalised groups in the employment sector.
He urged stakeholders to focus on practical solutions, especially leveraging technology to overcome the digital divide and expand opportunities for persons with disabilities, displaced persons, and women in underserved communities.
Isa also called for an urgent amendment to the National Disability Act to include private sector quotas, ensuring that no qualified person with a disability is excluded from contributing to Nigeria’s economy.
In her goodwill message, the Head of Inclusion at Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Dr Kafui Mills-Odoi, emphasised the importance of inclusion and access to opportunities for marginalised groups in Nigeria, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
She highlighted that technology, while offering new opportunities, must be used to break down barriers to dignified work and ensure that no one is left behind.
Mills-Odoi concluded by stressing that inclusion in a digitalised world requires innovative, human-centred design and systemic changes to create accessible, equitable pathways for all young people, especially those in underserved communities.
The Country Director for Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Rosy Fynn, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, stressing that inclusion must be the central agenda in economic development.
“This roundtable aligns with our mission to enable 30 million young Africans, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. Inclusion is not a side conversation; it is the main agenda. We must design systems where marginalised groups are not just considered but centred,” Fynn said.
The new report noted that skills assessment issues and transportation barriers cited are key reasons for excluding persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons during recruitments.
A copy of the report obtained by The PUNCH read, “Approximately 72 per cent of employers in the formal sector report making no intentional efforts toward inclusion. Furthermore, 9 in 10 employers do not actively seek to hire individuals from marginalised groups, particularly PWDs.”
Despite these challenges, 55 per cent of PWDs and 44 per cent of women in IDP groups have found employment, largely through self-employment in sectors like creative media and agriculture.
The report also highlights significant gaps in education and training, with 85 per cent of Nigerian schools not equipped for PWDs and 63 per cent of PWDs lacking the necessary skills for employment, while 28 per cent of employers in Southern Nigeria call for subsidised inclusivity training.
The report suggested that digital tools and remote work are beginning to create new pathways for these groups, with calls for subsidised inclusivity training and public recognition to encourage change among employers.
The roundtable event also featured breakout sessions that focused on key vulnerable groups, generating valuable insights to guide policy and advocacy initiatives aimed at improving employment access for marginalised populations in Nigeria.
