The depressed Nigerian economy, social welfare, and the dynamics of poverty among persons with disabilities in the coronavirus disease (2019) era

Abstract

This paper investigates the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Ibadan. It discusses how exclusionary, discriminatory practices and institutionalized prejudice shapes their access to social services and economic opportunities. Given the economic crisis that accompanied the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including financial and food crises, loss of livelihood, lack of government disability assistance, and hyperinflation, the rate of unemployment/poverty among PwDs is expected to increase in Nigeria. To learn how the epileptic Nigerian economy is shaping poverty among PwDs, data were collected from randomly selected 150 PwDs using questionnaires. Descriptive and statistical analysis of the data shows that PwDs face systemic barriers that restrict their access to economic opportunities. Barriers before and after the COVID-19 pandemic include negative stereotypes about PwDs among employers, limited education/training opportunities for PwDs, lack of friendly/accessible public transit, poor enforcement of laws protecting the rights of PwDs, and unfavorable business climates for PwDs in Nigeria. Beyond enlightening the public on respecting the rights of PwDs, this paper recommends that governments at all levels create an employment bureau to support PwDs that are willing/able to work. This bureau should be provided adequate funds to pay monthly disability assistance to empower registered unemployed PwDs.