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TAF AFRICA, SIGHTSAVERS, AND NCPWD LAUNCH NATIONAL ACCESS TO WORK SCHEME FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA

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With support from Sightsavers and TAF Africa, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) launched the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria. This initiative aims to support the full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Disability Act by fostering a collaborative approach with the organized private business sector. The Scheme is designed to provide technical and material support to private-sector employers, ensuring that qualified PWDs have equal employment opportunities in Nigeria. The Framework mandates the government and private sector to pool resources together to eliminate barriers preventing PWDs from accessing formal employment opportunities.

 

In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Chief Ayuba Gufwan, expressed profound gratitude to Sightsavers, TAF Africa, and other partners for their support in developing and launching the Access to Work Framework. He announced that the Commission would immediately inaugurate the Implementation Committee for the Scheme, consisting of representatives from NCPWD, relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the private sector, international development partners, and organizations of PWDs. This Committee will develop an Implementation and Monitoring Framework for the Scheme, ensuring it is effectively executed.

 

Chief Gufwan also disclosed that within six months, the first set of beneficiaries would receive their awards under the Scheme. To demonstrate the Commission’s dedication, he pledged N50 million for the immediate take-off of the initiative. These funds will be used to procure assistive devices and technologies, as well as provide other technical support to private sector employers willing to integrate PWDs into their workforce.

 

“I’m therefore pleased to inform you that the NCPWD is poised to take the bull by the horns by committing to the full implementation of this National Framework on Access to Work for PWDs. As such, the Commission shall commit a sum of fifty million naira (N50,000,000) for the immediate take-off of the Scheme,” Chief Gufwan stated.

 

TAF Africa’s Senior Programme Officer, Mr. George Anwayi, emphasized that the private sector stands to gain significantly by employing persons with disabilities, benefiting from their diverse skills and knowledge. He urged private-sector employers to make commitments like that of NCPWD to deepen the implementation of the Framework.

 

In his goodwill message, former Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Mr. James Lalu, acknowledged that the development of the Framework commenced during his tenure and expressed his continued dedication to disability inclusion. He pointed out that employment for PWDs should not be limited to formal job roles but should also extend to entrepreneurship and business opportunities. He commended TAF Africa for its efforts in ensuring the realization of this crucial policy.

 

The launch event was attended by key stakeholders from various organizations, all of whom expressed their support for the initiative. Mr. Abdullahi Usman, National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), highlighted that systemic gaps have historically prevented PWDs from accessing employment and expressed excitement that the Framework addresses these issues.

 

Mrs. Olubukola Odesola, representing the Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to promoting disability inclusion in workplaces and pledged to encourage member organizations to support the initiative.

 

Mr. Funmi Onasanya, Head of Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), described the launch as a significant milestone. He assured that CIPM would prioritize the implementation of the Framework across multiple organizations to ensure its sustainability.

 

Ms. Maria Akinsanya, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator at Sterling Bank, expressed enthusiasm for further collaborations aimed at promoting disability inclusion in the workplace.

 

Mrs. Vivian Omorogbe, Head of Employee Experience, Diversity & Inclusion at MTN Nigeria, stated that MTN was part of the Framework’s validation process and is committed to ensuring its successful implementation.

 

Dr. Joy Shu’aibu, Country Director of Sightsavers, commended all contributors who made the development and launch of the Framework possible. She described the event as a major milestone in increasing employment opportunities for PWDs in the private sector and emphasized the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in making the initiative a success. “Today is a milestone that shows our shared responsibility,” Dr. Shu’aibu remarked.

 

With the commitment of NCPWD, private sector employers, and development partners, the initiative is expected to create a more equitable work environment, where PWDs can thrive without barriers. As implementation begins, stakeholders remain optimistic that this Framework will set a precedent for sustainable disability inclusion across Nigeria’s employment scene.

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Inside the Joint EU Election Hub: How TAF Africa Tracked PWDs Participation in the Osun’s Election in Real Time

Adolak Events Hall, Osogbo, Osun State — 15th August 2026   When the polls opened across Osun State on 15 August 2026, thousands of voters with disabilities weren’t just showing up to cast a ballot — they were testing whether Nigeria’s electoral system was finally built for them too. Through a wide-reaching pre-election and election-day intervention, TAF Africa’s Able2Vote Campaign, implemented under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme, set out to answer that question with evidence rather than assumptions — and the results tell a story of real progress, alongside gaps that still demand attention. Breaking the Communication Barrier for Deaf Voters Perhaps the most tangible innovation was the deployment of 24 trained Sign Language Interpreters (SLIs) to 29 polling units across 12 LGAs, supporting 84 deaf voters on election day. Olorunda LGA alone accounted for 24 of those voters, while Ife Central, Osogbo, and Iwo rounded out the areas of highest concentration — together representing nearly two-thirds of all deaf voters reached. The data-driven approach — matching interpreter deployment to where deaf voters were actually registered — offers a replicable model. As one flexible deployment in Iwo showed (two interpreters covering five polling units), smart resource allocation can stretch limited capacity without leaving voters behind. Feedback from beneficiaries confirmed the impact: for many deaf voters, this was the first election where communication wasn’t a barrier to independent participation. What 150 Trained Observers Saw on Election Day To ground all of this in hard evidence, TAF Africa trained 150 election observers and deployed them, alongside its TAF Disability Hub App and a citizen eyewitness feature called The Third Eye, to document what was really happening at the polls. The numbers paint a nuanced picture: The good news •       94.3% of polling units were physically accessible to PWDs •       91.9% offered priority voting •       95.3% reported no harassment of PWD voters •       98.3% of votes were counted openly, and 94.6% of results were announced on-site •       97.66% of PWD voters who came to vote were able to do so The gaps that remain •       Braille ballot guides were available in just 22.8% of polling units; magnifying glasses in only 5.7% •       Only 46.3% of polling units had PWDs serving as INEC ad-hoc staff — and zero had observed PWD party agents •       Security personnel were present in just 46.3% of polling units •       78.1% of PWD voters relied on trusted aides rather than assistive devices or trained support •       Observers recorded 91 cases of PWD voters being induced, 23 cases of intimidation, and 40 incidents of violence around polling units   Indicator Positive Gap Physically accessible polling units 94.3% 5.7% not accessible Priority voting provided 91.9% 8.1% no priority voting No harassment of PWD voters 95.3% 4.7% harassment cases Votes counted openly 98.3% 1.7% not counted openly PWD INEC ad-hoc staff present 46.3% 53.7% no PWD staff PWD party agents observed 0% 100% no PWD party agent   The takeaway is clear: physical access to a polling unit is no longer the main battle. The next frontier is making sure PWDs can vote independently, are represented inside election structures, and are protected from manipulation that specifically targets their vulnerability. Stories the Statistics Can’t Tell Numbers aside, some of the most telling moments came from individual polling units. At Ile-Epo in Ward 4, a blind voter arrived with his wife’s assistance and later described the process as seamless — officials correctly completed the required Form EC40H to document his participation, a small but crucial act of accountability. Just a short distance away at Ataoja C PU 002, the story was different: officials seemed unfamiliar with the same form, producing other paperwork instead when asked about it. The same election, the same state, two very different experiences — a reminder that policy on paper means little without consistent training on the ground. At that same location, a wobbly wooden plank bridging an open drainage channel — the only route to where voter names were displayed — illustrated how accessibility gaps can hide in the details officials never think to check. The Road to 2027 With Nigeria’s next General Elections on the horizon in 2027, the report’s central message is a call to move from basic access to full, meaningful participation. Among the key recommendations: •       Institutionalize the provision of assistive devices and Sign Language Interpreters as standard election infrastructure, not a one-off intervention •       Set clear targets for recruiting qualified PWDs as election officials and party agents •       Conduct pre-election accessibility audits to catch physical barriers before voting day •       Strengthen disability-responsive security to protect PWD voters from intimidation and inducement •       Expand digital reporting tools like the Disability Hub App and Third Eye to make election monitoring faster and more evidence-based •       Embed PWD organizations directly into electoral planning, not just as consultees but as decision-makers The Bigger Picture The Osun State Governorship Election shows what’s possible when advocacy, technology, and stakeholder collaboration work in concert. Nearly all PWD voters who showed up were able to cast a ballot — a real achievement. But the same data reveals that acceptance at the ballot box hasn’t yet translated into representation within the system itself. Closing that gap — from voter to observer, from observer to official, from official to decision-maker — is the work that lies ahead as Nigeria looks toward 2027. This article is based on TAF Africa’s Osun State Governorship Election disability inclusion report, produced under the EU-SDGN Programme.

Call for Supply of Laptops and Office Chairs

TAF Africa, a leading disability inclusion organisation advancing the rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance, democratic processes, education, and economic empowerment, is inviting quotations from competent and reputable vendors for the supply of laptops and ergonomic office chairs. This procurement is being carried out under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SGDN) Programme, Component 5B, to equip project staff with the tools they need to deliver on programme objectives. Objective To procure durable, high-performance laptops and ergonomic office chairs for project staff in line with the operational requirements of the EU-SGDN Programme, Component 5B. Scope of Supply S/N Item Minimum Specification Quantity 1 Laptop Computers Intel Core i7 (11th Gen or higher), 16GB RAM or higher, 500GB SSD or higher, backlit keyboard, touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, integrated webcam, original Windows 11 Professional (or latest version) 4 Units 2 Office Chairs High-back ergonomic design, adjustable seat height, adjustable armrests, lumbar support, breathable mesh or premium upholstery, five-wheel base, 360° swivel, gas lift mechanism 6 Units All equipment must be brand-new, come with a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty, and be delivered fully packaged with warranty documentation. Who Can Apply Interested vendors should be able to provide: Certificate of Incorporation (CAC) Valid Tax Clearance Certificate Company Profile demonstrating relevant experience Evidence of at least three similar supply contracts Manufacturer’s Authorization (where applicable) Evidence of warranty support Quotation in Nigerian Naira (NGN), inclusive of taxes, transport, and delivery costs Delivery timeline Evaluation Criteria Submissions will be assessed on compliance with technical specifications, vendor experience, product quality, delivery schedule, warranty and after-sales support, cost competitiveness, and completeness of documentation. Delivery and Payment The successful vendor must complete delivery within 14 calendar days of contract award or issuance of a Purchase Order. Payment will be made after successful delivery, inspection, acceptance of items, and submission of all required documentation. How to Submit Send the following by email: Financial quotation Pictures of items Years of warranty Required supporting documents Email subject line: “Supply of Laptops and Office Chairs” Send to: procurements@tafafrica.co Submission deadline: 12th August 2026 General Conditions TAF Africa reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation without assigning a reason. Submission of a quotation does not constitute a commitment to award a contract. Only shortlisted vendors will be contacted for further clarification or negotiation. All supplied equipment must be genuine, brand new, and free from defects.

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