• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Nigeria Grassroot News
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
    Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

    Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

    Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

    Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

    Niger Delta oil Spillage, NGO trains community members on Monitoring

    Niger Delta oil Spillage, NGO trains community members on Monitoring

    ‘One- chance’, torture, maim, sad realities of Lagos Commuters

    ‘One- chance’, torture, maim, sad realities of Lagos Commuters

    AAUA Students Raise Concern Over Toilets’ Condition, Call For Management’s Action

    AAUA Students Raise Concern Over Toilets’ Condition, Call For Management’s Action

    Brain Drain: Statistics Predict Scary Fate for Nigeria

    Brain Drain: Statistics Predict Scary Fate for Nigeria

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Game of Thrones
    • MotoGP 2017
    • eSports
    • Fashion Week
  • Hinterland News
  • Gender Inclusion
  • Review
    Elesin Oba: The Tragic Effect of British Imperialism on African Society

    Elesin Oba: The Tragic Effect of British Imperialism on African Society

    Fathers’  Day Celebration: Cut Our Dad’s Some Slack

    Fathers’ Day Celebration: Cut Our Dad’s Some Slack

  • Report Violence
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
    Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

    Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

    Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

    Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

    Niger Delta oil Spillage, NGO trains community members on Monitoring

    Niger Delta oil Spillage, NGO trains community members on Monitoring

    ‘One- chance’, torture, maim, sad realities of Lagos Commuters

    ‘One- chance’, torture, maim, sad realities of Lagos Commuters

    AAUA Students Raise Concern Over Toilets’ Condition, Call For Management’s Action

    AAUA Students Raise Concern Over Toilets’ Condition, Call For Management’s Action

    Brain Drain: Statistics Predict Scary Fate for Nigeria

    Brain Drain: Statistics Predict Scary Fate for Nigeria

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Game of Thrones
    • MotoGP 2017
    • eSports
    • Fashion Week
  • Hinterland News
  • Gender Inclusion
  • Review
    Elesin Oba: The Tragic Effect of British Imperialism on African Society

    Elesin Oba: The Tragic Effect of British Imperialism on African Society

    Fathers’  Day Celebration: Cut Our Dad’s Some Slack

    Fathers’ Day Celebration: Cut Our Dad’s Some Slack

  • Report Violence
No Result
View All Result
Nigeria Grassroot News
No Result
View All Result
Home Disability Acts in Nigeria

How Employer’s Doubt is Complicating Job Search for People With Disabilities

nigeriagrasrootnews by nigeriagrasrootnews
October 8, 2022
in Disability Acts in Nigeria, Disability and Inclusion, Report Crisis
0
How Employer’s Doubt is Complicating Job Search for People With Disabilities
0
SHARES
77
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mariam Hamzat

Although Omotosho Oluwagbemisola currently works in an organization, this young lawyer in her 20s has a long tale to tell about her employment search.  With hearing impairment, Gbemisola graduated from Joseph Ayo Babalola University with a law degree and was called to the bar in 2021. After that, she entered the Nigerian labour pool which was not so welcoming for a person with a disability in a country with a high unemployment rate.

PC: Olga Tik/Shutterstock

According to Gbemisola, she got a lot of rejection because employers doubted her ability to carry out the expected work.

“I remember when I applied to a firm and I told them about my hearing impairment. They asked me how I will relate with clients and I explained myself with cogent points because I know what I can do and how I relate with people despite living with ear impairment. After my explanations, I was rejected. Instead of tears, I just smiled and left,’’ she explained.

At another time, Gbemisola was interviewed via Whatsapp, a social media platform. The interview was going on smoothly until she mentioned her condition and had to answer questions about it. She was ghosted.

Over the years, people living with disabilities have been excluded from society, directly or indirectly. They lack access to certain things, positions and opportunities that are often considered easy or normal for other people.

Gbemisola’s case is not isolated as others like her have been known to voice out their frustration at the system and employers who doubt their ability to deliver, hence failing to employ them.

In 2019, a Twitter User @okoro_voke took to the platform to make her plight known. Despite graduating with a second-class upper in Business Administration and going through with the mandatory Youth Service, the young lady in a wheelchair stated that one of the reasons she was yet to get a job was discrimination.

“The way people living with disability are treated in Nigeria is totally unfair, I graduated with a good result, and did my NYSC like every other Nigerian, but yet (sic) no job either because of accessibility or discrimination. We deserve better”.

In Osita Okon’s case, he was disqualified and bypassed for a position that he qualified for because he was blind.

A 2021 letter by the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) called on all stakeholders in the Enugu State Government including the Chairman, of the Enugu State Local Government Service Commission to respect the civil service rules which was bypassed in the appointment of a head of the department. While the provision stated that where the position becomes vacant, it falls on the highest-ranking officer to head it, it was not followed. Rather than appointing Osita, the highest-ranking officer of the Nkanu-West Social Welfare Department at grade level 14, a much junior officer of grade level 9 was appointed to head the department, because “Mr. Osita Okon is blind.”

Unemployment Rate and Employer’s Doubt Vs Disability Law

According to statistics by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s unemployment rate hit a record high of 33.3 % in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020. This translates in figures to about 23.18 million people who did nothing or worked less than 20 hours a week. At present, estimations by Statistic is not very different from this, as unemployment is estimated to currently be 33%, a 0.5 raise from the projected figure of 32.5% in 2021.

On the other hand, the figures are much higher for people with disabilities. According to The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), about 63 percent of adults with disabilities in Nigeria are unemployed and 30% of out-of-school children are those with disabilities.

While anyone could be unemployed or be a victim of violence and other things, people with disability are even at higher risk. They are discriminated against and excluded from opportunities, therefore can only apply for a few jobs. Due to their various impairments, they have even fewer chances at employment. Accessibility to a place of work is another factor that further complicates their job search.

Column 8 of a 2020 advertisement for vacancies list out people who cannot apply

Although signed into law, the Discrimination against persons with Disabilities (prohibition) Act is not as effective as expected. The bill is expected to “see corporate entities and individuals face sanctions if found guilty of discriminating against persons with impairments”.  Till date however, little has been done on the implementation of all that it contains to promote the inclusion of people with disability and lessen discrimination.

Battling Employer’s Doubt

Over the years, Gbemisola has often had to prove herself to keep her position and fight off bullying.  According to her, there are people with different areas of impediment, yet are determined to succeed in life and go after whatever they dream to be. Despite the limitations their impediment poses, they try to survive in the system.

“Not so long ago, I was bullied and got some kind of treatment from colleagues. Instead of keeping my mouth shut, I challenged the grounds. Because a person has a disability doesn’t mean the particular person is weak in other areas and that does not mean they can’t do anything,” she stated.

Gbemisola also called on employers to not allow a job seeker’s impediment to being the reason why they won’t employ them.

“People’s impediment should not be a reason you should limit them or consider them unsuitable for a position. It is not right. An employer may see me now and think that because I can’t hear, I can’t work. Whereas, I can talk and write. I can reason just like a sane human and can participate in teamwork. My impairment does not affect my ability to see or walk. Everyone’s case is unique and therefore should be accepted as such.”

Organizations like the Initiative for National Growth have been opening their doors to companies for partnerships to employ persons with disabilities. Serving as a channel, they are linking people with disabilities with organizations that wish to accept them as apprentices/interns/part-time/full staff.

Tags: Challenges of disability in workplacePeople with Disability
Previous Post

Robbery Attacks: A Tale of Lagos Pedestrian Bridges

Next Post

Indiscriminate Disposal: Residents Raise Alarm Over Reeky Market, Seek Help in Oyo State

nigeriagrasrootnews

nigeriagrasrootnews

Next Post
Indiscriminate Disposal: Residents Raise Alarm Over Reeky Market, Seek Help in Oyo State

Indiscriminate Disposal: Residents Raise Alarm Over Reeky Market, Seek Help in Oyo State

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected test

  • 122 Followers
  • 23.8k Followers
  • 99 Subscribers
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
UNDERCOVER: Government Policies Of  Indiscriminate Waste Disposal Endangers Lives In Kwara State

UNDERCOVER: Government Policies Of  Indiscriminate Waste Disposal Endangers Lives In Kwara State

August 14, 2022
The Untold Narratives Of Teenage Pregnancy  On School Dropout Among Secondary school  Girls

The Untold Narratives Of Teenage Pregnancy On School Dropout Among Secondary school Girls

September 15, 2022
Special Report:  Everyday Hazard, Low Financial Support and Self-Medication: Plights of Women in Oyo Garri Producing Community

Special Report:  Everyday Hazard, Low Financial Support and Self-Medication: Plights of Women in Oyo Garri Producing Community

September 20, 2022
Press Week: AAUA NAMACOS Observes Public Lecture/ Symposium

Press Week: AAUA NAMACOS Observes Public Lecture/ Symposium

December 9, 2022
How Poor Road Condition In Port Harcourt Affects Nursing Mothers, Pregnant Women On Daily Basis

How Poor Road Condition In Port Harcourt Affects Nursing Mothers, Pregnant Women On Daily Basis

6
Celebrity Marriage: The Untold Tale of a Double-Edged Sword

Celebrity Marriage: The Untold Tale of a Double-Edged Sword

4
#BreakTheBias: An Empty Rhetoric Driving Women To Unknown Direction-

#BreakTheBias: An Empty Rhetoric Driving Women To Unknown Direction-

2
The Untold Narratives Of Teenage Pregnancy  On School Dropout Among Secondary school  Girls

The Untold Narratives Of Teenage Pregnancy On School Dropout Among Secondary school Girls

2
Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

March 21, 2023
Journalists and Voters at Risk: Ejiro Umukoro Urges Accountability and Action Ahead of 2023 Elections

Journalists and Voters at Risk: Ejiro Umukoro Urges Accountability and Action Ahead of 2023 Elections

March 17, 2023
Amaka Okoye: Championing Change in the Nigerian Media Landscape

Amaka Okoye: Championing Change in the Nigerian Media Landscape

March 14, 2023
Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

March 12, 2023

Recent News

Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

March 21, 2023
Journalists and Voters at Risk: Ejiro Umukoro Urges Accountability and Action Ahead of 2023 Elections

Journalists and Voters at Risk: Ejiro Umukoro Urges Accountability and Action Ahead of 2023 Elections

March 17, 2023
Amaka Okoye: Championing Change in the Nigerian Media Landscape

Amaka Okoye: Championing Change in the Nigerian Media Landscape

March 14, 2023
Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

Southern Nigerians’ obsession for private funeral homes

March 12, 2023
Nigeria Grassroot News

Nigeria Grassroot News bring you authoritative and premium Grassroot news across Nigeria.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Apps
  • Basic education
  • Business
  • Central Bank of Nigeria and the New naira notes challenges
  • Child Marriage issues in Nigeria
  • Climate Change and Flood
  • Community News
  • Disability Acts in Nigeria
  • Disability and Inclusion
  • Education
  • Election and Disability Rights in Nigeria
  • Election in Nigeria
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Exclusive report
  • Fashion
  • Financial intelligence
  • Food
  • Fraudulent money making scheme
  • Gadget
  • Gaming
  • Gender Inclusion
  • Health
  • Hinterland News
  • How sustainable Journalism is bringing changes
  • Imapct of Sustainable impact on Development
  • Infrastructural development
  • Lifestyle
  • Media Capacity development
  • Media Skill Developmet
  • Migration issues and challenges
  • Mobile
  • Money ,matter
  • Movie
  • News
  • Nigeria's politics
  • Opinion/ViewPoint
  • Politics
  • Ponzi schemes in Nigeria
  • Report Crisis
  • Report Violence
  • Review
  • Rural electrification
  • Science
  • Security and safety
  • Special report
  • Sport
  • Sport Management In Nigeria
  • Sports
  • Startup
  • Sustainable Journalism
  • Sustainable Journalism and African development
  • Sustainable Journalism and global Development
  • Tech
  • Transportation
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Under Cover
  • Water project in rural areas
  • Women Empowerment Policy in Nigeria
  • World

Recent News

Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

Sustainable Journalism, its impact in Africa and…

March 21, 2023
Journalists and Voters at Risk: Ejiro Umukoro Urges Accountability and Action Ahead of 2023 Elections

Journalists and Voters at Risk: Ejiro Umukoro Urges Accountability and Action Ahead of 2023 Elections

March 17, 2023
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Hinterland News
  • Gender Inclusion
  • Review
  • Report Violence

All Rights Reserved © 2022 Nigeria Grassroot News

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Hinterland News
  • Gender Inclusion
  • Review
  • Report Violence

All Rights Reserved © 2022 Nigeria Grassroot News