Nigerian Senate considers anti-discrimination bill for people with disabilities

The Nigerian Senate considered a bill April 23 that would mean that corporate organizations that discriminate against people with disabilities will pay them N500,000 (about $4300 US) in damages, according to allAfrica.com.

The bill stipulates in section (1) that "No person with disability shall be discriminated against on the grounds of his or her disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance whatsoever."

The bill says that if a corporate body violates the proposed law, it will pay a minimum of N500,000 damages to the affected person with disability.

Individuals who discriminate against people with disabilities will be required to pay damages of N100,000 (about $860 US) or serve a six month prison sentence or both.

The bill also provides that no person with "disability shall be subjected to prejudices or harmful practices, including those based on sex, age or tradition, in any area of life."

The Discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) bill was sponsored by Senator Bode Olajumoke, who said he regretted that over the years Nigerians with disabilities have faced discrimination in all areas of life.