MTN Nigeria has strengthened its disability inclusion drive, increasing the representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in its workforce from 0.9 per cent in 2021 to 2.13 per cent in 2025.
The disclosure was made at the company’s headquarters during the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), themed “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”
Speaking at the event, Esther Akinnukawe, the Chief Human Resources Officer, described the progress as the result of intentional structural reforms, not charity. Represented by GM, OE&P, Inyang Osazuwa, she said MTN’s diversity agenda is driven by “investment and accountability,” supported by a structured, reasonable accommodation framework.
According to her, MTN has invested in facility upgrades such as ramps, modified workspaces and hearing loops at customer-facing centres, while also integrating a dedicated disability segment into its customer lifecycle management system. She added that the IT Bridge Academy internship, now in its second year, continues to equip PWDs with in-demand digital skills and improve employability.
Representing CEO Karl Toriola, Egerton Idehen, Chief Broadband Officer, said the company’s Beyond Barriers initiative is a sustainability imperative, noting that an estimated 35 million Nigerians live with visible or invisible disabilities.
“Inclusion is essential for innovation, growth and national development,” Idehen said, arguing that exclusion of PWDs represents a significant economic loss.
The conversation extended beyond statistics to workplace culture and governance. Dolapo Agbede, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) expert, urged businesses to move from treating inclusion as a CSR gesture to adopting it as a rights-based governance standard, referencing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Further perspectives were provided by Tolani Ojuri, Lagos State Chairman of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, who addressed myths and workplace stigma around albinism and called for stronger policy protections. The session was moderated by David Ubon, who shared personal experiences underscoring how reasonable accommodations can unlock exceptional performance.
David Orinya, an MTN employee, also shared his experience, saying, “My difference is not a barrier here; it is a unique perspective.”
MTN’s leadership closed the event by reaffirming its commitment to the Beyond Barriers roadmap, confirming that accessibility across digital platforms and physical workspaces will remain a central pillar of its 2025 corporate strategy.
