990 NAL Boulevard, Central Business District Abuja
info@tafafrica.co

ADVOCACY VISIT TO NIGERIA EMPLOYERS’ CONSULTATIVE ASSOCIATION (NECA)

On August 10, 2023, a delegation from TAF Africa, Sightsavers, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) led by Ambassador Jake Epelle, the CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, visited the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) in Lagos. The purpose of the visit was to discuss its ongoing Economic Empowerment Project for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), which is funded by Sightsavers through its Economic Empowerment Project, a strategic initiative aimed at promoting the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the workforce. The primary objective of the visit was to get the buy-in of NECA and explore potential partnership opportunities between TAF Africa and NECA to enhance the project's impact and promote disability inclusion within corporate organizations.   The meeting had in attendance the Director General - Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Head of HR and Admin – Bankole Adebola, Snr Executive, Learning and Development - Usen Isabella, Head of Finance – Babalola Thomas, Director, Social Labour Affairs (SLA) – Adenike Adebayo-Ajala, Head of Legal Regulatory and Taxation – Thompson Akpabio. TAF Africa’s delegates alongside representatives of Organization of Persons with Disabilities and Sightsavers were led by the CEO/Founder of TAF Africa. The CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle presented an insightful overview of the ongoing Economic Empowerment Project for Persons With Disabilities, emphasizing its objectives and strategies. The presentation highlighted the importance of fostering disability inclusion within the workforce and the positive impact it can have on both individuals and businesses.   George Anwayi, the Assistant Programme Manager of TAF Africa, who doubles as the focal person on the Economic Empowerment Project, explained that the primary objective of the project is to increase the labour force participation rate of women and men with disabilities in Nigeria. Anwayi emphasized that TAF Africa views NECA as a strategic partner, facilitating TAF's access to employers in the private sector. He further highlighted that there are highly skilled individuals with disabilities who possess the desire and capability to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of any organization, given the opportunity. He added that the "Access to Work Scheme" will ensure that organizations interested in hiring individuals with disabilities are not burdened with additional expenses for providing necessary assistive devices or technology.   Furthermore, Gambo Yohanna, a representative from Sightsavers reassured the Director-General that Sightsavers has a pool of well-qualified and extensively trained individuals with disabilities who are ready for employment. Some of these individuals hold master's degrees and have received specialized training in information and communication technology (ICT).   The Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Ambassador Jake Epelle, expressed interest in collaborating with NECA to extend the reach and impact of the project. He stressed the significance of corporate buy-in from member organizations of NECA to create a sustainable and inclusive employment environment for PWDs. The discussion revolved around ways in which NECA could support and promote the project among its corporate affiliates. In response to the presentation and proposal, the Director General of NECA made several commitments to further advance the partnership and promote disability inclusion which include:
  • The appointment of a dedicated focal person to oversee the collaboration between NECA and TAF Africa.
  • Establishment of a committee to thoroughly evaluate the project and explore avenues for joint contribution.
  • Development of a comprehensive sustainability plan to ensure the project's continuity and lasting impact.
  • Engagement of Sign Language Interpreters for NECA programs accommodating up to 35 participants, ensuring accessibility for PWDs.
  • Introduction of a new award category for the "Most Disability Inclusive Employer" at the upcoming Employers Award ceremony in December.
  • Keeping TAF Africa informed about all NECA programs to ensure disability inclusion in their planning.
 

More Posts

TAF Africa, Koyo Healthtech, And Office Of The Speaker of NGR House of Reps Launch AI-Enabled Healthcare Services for PWDs

Yesterday, we officially unveiled the “Access to Health Initiative for Persons with Disabilities” through the “Koyo Navigate App”- an AI-powered digital healthcare platform created to expand access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, pledged to support this effort by offering monthly subscription coverage to all Nigerians with disabilities for the next five years.Beneficiaries will have access to virtual doctor-supervised consultations, AI-driven health support, mental wellness guidance, and specialist dermatology services, particularly vital for persons with albinism who face a high risk of skin-related conditions. This partnership reflects our commitment to disability inclusion, Koyo Healthtech’s drive for digital health innovation, and the National Assembly Resource Centre’s role in strengthening policy backing and national visibility for inclusive healthcare in Nigeria.

Call For Applications: IT Officer

 Job Title: IT Officer  Location: Abuja  Employment Type: Full Time  Duration: 12 months  TAF Africa is an independent non-governmental/not-for profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. The organization has since evolved to become a focus organization that advocates for the recognition and respect of the rights, socio-economic and political inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria and the around the World. The foundation contributes to legislative and policy action that promotes the rights of PWDs, and effective mainstreaming of inclusion.   Responsibilities  IT Support:  Provide technical support for all IT systems within the organization.  Troubleshoot hardware and software issues, assisting employees in resolving technical problems.  Stay updated on emerging IT trends and implement best practices within the organization.  Web and Mobile App Management  Manage TAF Africa’s Disability Hub application  Ensure that TAF’s Applications are Disability Friendly  Be Product Owner for the applications  Website Development and Maintenance:  Design, develop, and maintain the organization’s website to ensure a user-friendly and appealing online presence.  Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the website aligns with TAF Africa’s communication strategies.  Implement SEO strategies and optimize the website for search engine visibility.  Graphic Design:  Create visually striking and engaging graphics materials, both digital and print.  Develop and maintain the visual identity of TAF Africa, including logos, brand, and donor guidelines.  Collaborate with different teams to design presentations, brochures, and other materials.  Produce multimedia content, including images, infographics, videos, and animations, to support marketing campaigns.  Any Other Duties Assigned   Skills and Qualifications   Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Web Development, Graphic Design, or a related field.  Proven experience in IT support, web development, and graphic design.  Proficiency in graphic design tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite.  Strong knowledge of IT systems and network administration.  Experience in web development, including familiarity with HTML, CSS, and CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress).  Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a dynamic environment.  Creative mindset and a keen eye for detail in graphic design.  Strong communication and collaboration skills.  Attention to detail.  Excellent interpersonal skills  How To Apply: Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications using the link below: https://forms.gle/ZjfrmG4WQi4i4TQN9  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.  Application Deadline: 7th January 2026 Diversity and Inclusion:TAF Africa strongly encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities. All submissions will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

Call For Applications: Programme Manager

Job Title: Programme Manager  Location: Abuja  Employment Type: Full Time  Duration: 12 months  TAF Africa is an independent non-governmental/not-for profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. The organization has since evolved to become a focus organization that advocates for the recognition and respect of the rights, socio-economic and political inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria and the around the World. The foundation contributes to legislative and policy action that promotes the rights of PWDs, and effective mainstreaming of inclusion.   Responsibilities  Manage the conceptualization, design, planning, and implementation of programmes in line with the organization’s thematic thrust.   Coordinate the activities of state offices in programme implementation.   Oversee, support, and evaluate the work of Programme Officers, Volunteers, and Consultants.   Ensure appropriate compliance, reporting, and documentation on programmes and interventions in line with agreed standards and donor requirements.   Develop, nurture, and manage relationships with partners.   Scan for funding opportunities in areas relevant to the organization’s vision   Ensure adherence to the organization’s policies, especially the Gender Policy, and the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy in all programmatic design and activities.   Develop and implement comprehensive program strategies in alignment with the organization’s overall goals and objectives.   Collaborate with senior management to define program scope, goals, and deliverables.   Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of multiple projects within the program portfolio.   Establish project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.   Ensure adherence to project management best practices.   Work closely with various departments to coordinate resources, resolve issues, and optimize project delivery.   Foster effective communication and collaboration among project teams.   Manage program budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources.   Identify potential risks associated with projects and develop strategies for risk mitigation.   Implement risk management processes to address and resolve issues promptly.  Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.   Communicate project progress, risks, and outcomes to stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.   Implement quality assurance processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality projects.   Monitor and evaluate project outcomes against predefined benchmarks.   Lead and motivate project teams, providing guidance and support to ensure successful project completion.   Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.   Prepare and present regular progress reports to senior management and stakeholders.   Maintain accurate project documentation and records.   Any other duties assigned.  Qualification   Extensive experience (minimum of 7 years) and demonstrable knowledge of programme management in areas related to the organization’s thematic thrust.  Strong ICT skills   Strong stakeholder management and decision-making skills.  Excellent report-writing skill.   Strong communicator, coordinator, and networker.   Strong ability to execute work with an inclusion lens.   Strong verbal and written communication skills.  Exceptional organizational skills and impeccable attention to detail.  How To Apply: Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications using this link: https://forms.gle/p34D4TxYd2sBhLpq8  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.  Application Deadline: 7th January 2026 Diversity and Inclusion:TAF Africa strongly encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities. All submissions will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn