AbilityX 2025, a major conference on disability inclusion in Nigeria, has ended in Lagos with calls for better policies, more job opportunities and steps to support persons with disabilities.
The event was organised by Project Enable Africa, with Jobberman Nigeria and other partners, and held on December 2nd, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja. More than 300 people attended, including government officials, business leaders, technology experts and disability advocates. The focus of the conference was on how Nigeria can build a more inclusive future for persons with disabilities.
Sessions at the conference looked at how technology, data and policy can improve access to jobs, healthcare and public services. Participants discussed the slow pace of policy enforcement and the challenges many persons with disabilities still face in workplaces, public spaces and decision-making. Speakers also shared simple, practical ideas that organisations and government agencies can adopt.
Kola Olugbodi, a board leader at Project Enable Africa, said Nigeria has millions of persons with disabilities who are skilled and capable but often left out of opportunities. He said the country needs better laws, stronger support systems and more representation to allow them contribute fully to the economy.
Several sessions focused on employment and workplace inclusion. Jobberman Nigeria led discussions on hiring and customer service. Esther Obele, who works with Jobberman on inclusion programmes, said companies should design their workplaces and recruitment processes to be accessible from the start, rather than treating inclusion as charity. In another session, Oluwajuwonlo Esho, a customer experience specialist, explained that businesses that serve all customers well, including persons with disabilities, are more likely to keep customers and grow over time.
In her keynote speech, Temi Dalley, a senior executive at Sterling Financial Holdings, said disability inclusion makes business sense. She told organisations that hiring and supporting persons with disabilities can improve performance and innovation, and urged leaders to focus on actions that show clear results.
The conference also featured the AbilityX Impact Awards, which recognised organisations and individuals making steady progress in disability inclusion. Award recipients included Access Tech Innovation and Research Centre for its work in assistive technology, MTN Nigeria for its inclusion efforts, and Adejobi Adewoye for individual contribution to disability advocacy.
At the closing session, Olalekan Owonikoko, an executive director at Project Enable Africa, said the organisation will continue to work with partners to ensure the conversations from AbilityX 2025 lead to real change. He said progress will depend on steady action, shared responsibility and cooperation between government, businesses and civil society.
