Analysis of Gender and Disability Inclusion in Vocational Training Programmes in Niger State

Women with disabilities in Nigeria face compounded exclusion from vocational training programmes, limiting their economic participation and perpetuating their dependence on households that may not be supportive. This study analyses the intersectional barriers to gender and disability inclusion in vocational training programmes in Niger State, focusing on government and NGO-run programmes in Minna, Kontagora, and Bida. A mixed-method design was adopted, with 80 programme managers and 100 female trainees with and without disabilities completing structured questionnaires and interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings show that women with disabilities constitute fewer than 7% of vocational training enrolees in the study area, with inaccessible physical facilities, trainer unpreparedness, stereotyped programme content that channels disabled women exclusively into sewing and crafts, and absence of disability-sensitive selection criteria as the primary barriers. The study finds that programmes that make deliberate inclusion efforts through targeted outreach and facility adaptation achieve higher enrolment and completion rates for women with disabilities. Recommendations include accessibility audits and mandatory retrofits for all state-funded vocational facilities, disability inclusion training for programme facilitators, and scholarship schemes targeting women with disabilities. Keywords: disability, gender, vocational training, Niger State, inclusion