By Palma Ileye
Sightsavers Nigeria has announced that its Girls Education and Skills Partnership (GESP) programme has empowered 2,878 adolescent girls and young women with disabilities in Kano and Lagos States through business education, entrepreneurship training, and career development support.
The disclosure came at the close-out ceremony of the Strengthening Access to Business Education and Inclusion for Women (SABI-Woman) project, held in Abuja. The initiative was implemented in collaboration with organisations of persons with disabilities, Project Enable Africa, the Kanawa Educational Foundation for the Disabled, private sector partners, and development institutions.
Country Director Prof. Joy Shuaibu explained that the programme was designed to inspire adolescent girls with disabilities and equip women with sustainable livelihood skills. She noted that the education component focused on mentorship and life coaching, while the entrepreneurship aspect provided training in business literacy, bookkeeping, and product costing. Participants were also linked to manufacturers such as Unilever, who supplied goods on credit for resale.
Shuaibu stressed that the project had impacted not only the beneficiaries but also their families and communities, though stigma remained a major challenge. She added that participants received technical business management training and were connected to financial institutions to improve access to loans, grants, and enterprise expansion opportunities.
Country Advocacy Coordinator Esther Bature highlighted that 1,512 young women with disabilities were supported with employability and entrepreneurship skills, while 1,366 adolescent girls benefited from life skills and career guidance. She added that 1,647 employees were trained on workplace disability inclusion, 217 life coaches received training on disability-inclusive career guidance, and 202 vocational facilitators were supported with inclusive teaching methods. In addition, 127 business advisors were trained to sustain enterprise growth, and 670 women received starter kits valued at more than ₦40 million. Beneficiaries have already repaid 88% of the starter-kit funds, demonstrating the sustainability of the initiative.
Representing the Gates Foundation, Dr. Avuwa Oteri praised the project for showing practical pathways to women’s economic empowerment and disability inclusion. UNICEF Education Specialist Nneka Ogbansiegbe called for stronger collaboration to promote empowerment for children and young persons with disabilities, while Richard Grubb of the UK’s FCDO said the project demonstrated how inclusive systems can help girls and women realise their full potential.
Beneficiaries also shared their experiences. Aisha Morenikeji-Ogunkoya, a visually impaired final-year student of Yaba College of Technology, recounted discrimination but urged persons with disabilities to maximise their potential. Aisha Usman, who is physically challenged, said the training improved her business management skills and enabled her to expand her henna business.
The event featured panel discussions on disability inclusion and the presentation of awards to outstanding beneficiaries, individuals, and institutions that contributed to the project’s success.
