Mr Timothy Akano, Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, has urged greater inclusion of visually impaired persons in the country's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. He made the call during an outreach programme at the Federal School for the Blind, Oshodi, on Friday, marking his birthday with a donation of ICT tools and training for students. Akano said visually impaired individuals possess untapped potential that can significantly contribute to Nigeria's digital growth if given proper access to skills and resources. He cited a student from the school who, after receiving ICT training, now teaches peers, illustrating the ripple effect of targeted interventions.
New Horizons Nigeria, an ICT training and exam institute with over 20 years of experience, has supported the school since Akano adopted it three years ago. The support includes provision of computers, internet access and digital skills training. Akano stressed that existing inclusive policies must be matched with implementation to create real opportunities. He urged organisations to adopt inclusive hiring practices, saying such efforts could reduce unemployment among vulnerable groups. According to him, shifting societal perception from limitation to ability is crucial for meaningful inclusion.
Timothy Akano's three-year support for the Federal School for the Blind shows what private individuals can achieve when they move beyond policy talk. His intervention has produced a student now training others in ICT, proving that access, not pity, unlocks potential. If more private sector leaders replicate this model, Nigeria's digital economy could see broader participation from excluded groups. This is not charity—it's smart investment in human capital.
