U. O. OLORUNFEMI

This research provides an in-depth analysis of workplace discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria, assessing the adequacy of the legal, institutional, and policy measures designed to protect their rights and foster inclusion. The study evaluates the extent to which Nigeria fulfils its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 159. Using a doctrinal and comparative legal approach, it examines statutory provisions, case law, and the functions of enforcement institutions, notably the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN). The findings indicate that although Nigeria’s legislative framework is progressive, implementation is undermined by weak institutional capacity, inadequate funding, low awareness, and enduring societal prejudice. Judicial responses, while occasionally advancing disability rights, face obstacles such as prolonged litigation, high legal costs, and limited judicial expertise. Persistent issues include discriminatory hiring, inadequate infrastructure accessibility, non-compliance with the statutory 5% public sector employment quota, and unclear reasonable accommodation guidelines. The study identifies legal ambiguities, enforcement weaknesses, and policy gaps, recommending reforms such as strengthening institutional mandates, creating sector-specific compliance frameworks, expanding public education on disability rights, and improving access to affordable legal remedies. The research concludes that realising workplace equality for PWDs in Nigeria requires more than legal provisions, it demands effective enforcement, structural reforms, and a cultural shift towards genuine inclusion, recognising disability rights as both a human rights priority and a driver of national development.