It is a journey, not a sprint – The MTN disability inclusion story

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MTN Nigeria, a subsidiary of the MTN Group, is an organisation powered by inclusion and respect for diversity. The company’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy outlines commitments and targets across four areas, i.e. persons with disabilities, gender, age and ethnicity.

In October 2021, through membership in the Nigeria Business and Disability Network, the company received technical support from Sightsavers to conduct a holistic disability and accessibility audit for the entire organisation. The recommendations of this audit were put into an action plan which is progressively being implemented and thereby strengthening the company’s inclusion pathway to becoming a disability-confident employer.

On 2 December 2022, the company organised an enterprise-wide event to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A senior magistrate with disability and some graduated MTN scholars with disabilities who are beneficiaries of the company’s philanthropic arm, MTN Foundation, spoke about the transformative solutions for inclusive development as well as the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.

Prior to this, the company has begun to remove disability-related barriers in the recruitment process, training managers on unconscious biases, hiring young talents with disabilities into the workforce and investing in making workplaces accessible. Further, the company started acquiring and installing hearing loops in the customer care centres across Nigeria; and putting wheelchairs at customer care centres and some office locations for emergency-related issues and then making adjustment to make the furniture and fittings accessible for all.

At MTN Nigeria, one knows this is a journey, not a sprint. The company is committed to recognising the rights and potential of persons with disabilities as employees, customers and suppliers who should have equal opportunities and contribute to the business and national development.