TAF AFRICA’S ENGAGEMENT AT THE GLOBAL DISABILITY SUMMIT (GDS) 2025 IN BERLIN, GERMANY

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 convened global leaders, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), international development stakeholders, private sector actors, and civil society organizations in Amman, Jordan, to advance the global agenda for disability inclusion. TAF Africa, through strategic engagements and thought leadership, significantly contributed to the summit’s core themes of inclusive employment, political participation, social protection, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This report provides a detailed overview of key highlights, TAF Africa’s strategic visibility, contributions of the CEO/Founder Amb. Jake Epelle and implications for our organizational programming moving forward.

2. OPENING HIGHLIGHTS AND SUMMIT CONTEXT

Day 1 of the GDS 2025 set the tone for an urgent and sustained global commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, reaffirming that disability inclusion is non-negotiable.

Key highlights include:

Presentation of Regional Summits: Findings from regional consultations conducted over two years informed the global commitments presented at GDS2025.

Key Global Voices:

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan highlighted Jordan’s progress in disability inclusion since becoming a co-host and called for stronger global action to protect persons with disabilities, especially in conflict zones.
H.E. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to disability inclusion, announcing support for inclusive education and the 15% for 15% target.
Dr. Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance, emphasized the role of OPDs, urging that they be recognized as decision-makers and that inclusion must be reflected in every plan and budget.
Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, emphasized the urgency of reinvigorating efforts toward the lagging disability targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Opening II saw additional commitments:

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, announced a new initiative that brings together health and disability organizations to enhance collaboration and impact.

Charlotte Young, IDA Youth Ambassador, presented the Youth Call to Action, ensuring that young voices are central to the disability rights movement.

Sanja Tarczay, President of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), shared key takeaways from the Civil Society Forum (CSF) and presented the Civil Society Declaration.

H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Minister of International Development, Norway, reinforced Norway’s legacy as a GDS co-host and announced increased funding for development aid.

Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), announced a new initiative focused on accessible cities and declared UN-Habitat’s endorsement of the Amman-Berlin Declaration.

Marie Luise Abomo, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, called on African states to ratify the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

3. TAF AFRICA’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS

3.1 High-Level Panel Participation: Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work

Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, served as a panellist in the session titled “Shaping Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities.”

• The session explored policy implementation challenges under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) within employment systems.

Key panellists included:

Erol Kiresepi, Honorary President at International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation
Caroline Casey, Founder and Director, The Valuable 500

TAF Africa’s Contribution:

Amb. Epelle acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts in building capacity for PWDs through policy and skill development programs.
He advocated for deeper collaboration between government and OPDs to scale inclusive job access.
Emphasis was placed on the enabling role of legal frameworks and innovative partnerships to remove systemic employment barriers.
Persons with disabilities were motivated to stand up for themselves and unite their voices towards self-empowerment and growth.

3.2 Fireside Chat Host: TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum

TAF Africa independently hosted a side event titled “TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum,” providing a platform to showcase Nigeria’s efforts in mainstreaming disability in political and economic spaces.

Speakers:

Hon. Dr. Yusuf T. Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder, TAF Africa
Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, Kebbi State Commissioner for Special Duties

Key Discussion Points:

Dr. Sununu elaborated on the positive impact of social intervention programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) on poverty reduction within the disability community.

Amb. Epelle highlighted TAF Africa’s innovative programs:

Able to Vote – Promoting PWDs electoral participation through voting
Electability – Enhancing visibility and engagement through political campaigns and vying for elective positions.
Able to Serve – Advocating inclusive governance through political appointments.

The chat emphasized collective responsibility across sectors to drive systemic change.

4. DAY 2: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL REPORT LAUNCH

4.1 Launch of the Global Disability Inclusion Report

The Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World, developed for the Global Disability Summit 2025, examines these challenges and outlines concrete pathways for change.

The report is the result of a collaborative effort of several UN agencies, the International Disability Alliance, the International Disability and Development Consortium, and their members and academia. It has been funded mostly by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the London Stock Exchange Group and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The report highlights:

The impact of global trends like climate change, technology, and urbanization
Legal, policy, and financing measures to drive inclusion.
Strategies for inclusive education and humanitarian action, healthcare, employment, and social protection

The report offers a valuable roadmap for our policy engagement and programming in 2025 and beyond.

4.2 Side Event Panel: Companies as Allies for Inclusive Employment

Amb. Jake Epelle again represented TAF Africa as a panellist at this high-impact session that brought together private sector leaders and disability advocates.

Panelists included:

Andy Garrett, Director – GSK Global Workplace Adjustments Service
Jürgen Menze, Disability Inclusion Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Nadine Schönwald, Inclusion officer, Board UnternehmensForum,
Susan Scott-Parker, Business Disability International (Moderator)

TAF Africa’s Key Contribution:

Amb. Epelle emphasized the importance of education, digital skills, and professional readiness among persons with disabilities to boost their employability.

He presented the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme, co-developed by TAF Africa and NCPWD with funding from Sightsavers, which supports private employers to employ qualified persons with disabilities by providing technical and material support.

5. STRATEGIC VISIBILITY AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT

TAF Africa’s strategic positioning at GDS 2025 achieved the following:

Enhanced Global Visibility: TAF Africa’s voice resonated on critical issues of inclusive governance and employment through speaking engagements and hosting a side event.

Strengthened Partnerships: Our presence created pathways for deeper collaboration with global development agencies, OPDs, and private sector actors like the Christoffel Blinden Mission, Sightsavers International, International Disability and Development Consortium, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, etc.

Inspiration for Action: TAF Africa’s programs, Able to Vote, Electability, Able to serve and the Access to Work Scheme, were used as models of good practice, inspiring replication and adaptation.

Announcing…DemoCrazy

What happens when the headlines make you laugh, sigh, and question everything at the same time? You get DemoCrazy, the bold new podcast from the CEO and Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle. In a country where politics often feels like theatre, DemoCrazy pulls back the curtain, not with long speeches, but with sharp, 60 to 120-second episodes that cut straight to the heart of the issue. With satire as his scalpel and wit as his voice, Amb. Epelle dissects the political moments shaping Nigeria today, exposing contradictions, questioning leadership, and providing a serious reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport. Beyond just commentary and humour, the DemoCrazy is clarity and its accountability. It’s a civic wake-up call. Each episode delivers a powerful reminder: behind every absurd headline are real people, real rights, and real consequences, especially for marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, whose voices must never be drowned out by political noise. Why DemoCrazy matters now more than ever: It makes politics accessible, engaging, and impossible to ignore. It challenges citizens to think, question, and stay informed. It transforms frustration into awareness, and awareness into action. Democracy works best when citizens are informed, alert, and engaged. DemoCrazy invites you to listen, reflect, and share. Listen, laugh, think, act. Follow Jake Epelle’s social media platforms, subscribe when episodes drop, and share with your networks. Because when citizens pay attention, democracy becomes less “DemoCrazy” and more powerful. Subscribe now and join the conversation. Your voice matters, your awareness matters, and your engagement could make all the difference. Facebook X-twitter Youtube Linkedin

Citizen’s Townhall on Electoral Act 2026

Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your vote and the 2027 Elections. On Sunday, 1st of March, 2026, at 7:30 PM, the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity is convening a townhall which aims to move the conversation beyond elite policy circles and create an open, interactive platform where citizens can engage directly with experts and institutional stakeholders. Join the live broadcast on Channels TV, Arise News, News Central, AIT, RayPower FM, and Nigeria Info FM. The question? Will Nigeria’s new Electoral Act 2026 reshape how votes are cast, counted, and protected come 2027? 🔗 Join Us.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: ToR for Disability Inclusion Survey in Public and Private Schools

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) DISABILITY INCLUSION SURVEY IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE THREE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS OF RIVERS STATE 1.1 About TAF Africa TAF Africa is an independent, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. Over time, TAF Africa has evolved into a leading disability rights organization advocating for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria. The organization actively contributes to legislative reforms, policy development, and advocacy initiatives that promote disability inclusion, mainstreaming, and effective participation of persons with disabilities in governance, development, and public life. 1.2 Project Background The Enhancing Disability-Inclusive Governance project, funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and implemented by TAF Africa in Rivers State, aims to strengthen disability-inclusive governance at the sub-national level in Rivers State, focusing on the education, health, and justice sectors. The intervention responds to the delayed domestication and operationalization of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and seeks to address systemic discrimination, stigma, exclusion, and limited access to essential services faced by persons with disabilities. The project aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 2.1 Rationale for the Assignment Persons with disabilities in Nigeria face significant educational barriers, including inaccessible infrastructure, limited availability of trained inclusive education teachers, weak policy implementation, and poor data availability. These challenges are particularly pronounced in public schools and rural communities. Evidence-based data is therefore essential for: Informing advocacy and policy engagement Improving planning and budgeting processes Strengthening inclusive education programming Tracking progress toward inclusive governance This assignment aims to gather robust baseline data on disability inclusion in public and private schools across Rivers State’s three senatorial districts, capturing the experiences of students with disabilities, their parents/caregivers, teachers, school administrators, and relevant government officials. 2.2. Overview of the Assignment TAF Africa seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive Disability Inclusion Survey in selected public and private schools across Rivers State, covering three senatorial districts, with emphasis on urban and rural schools within the State Capital and surrounding communities. The assignment will involve: Mapping disability inclusion practices Assessing accessibility, learning outcomes, teaching capacity, and policy compliance Identifying systemic barriers and opportunities Generating evidence for advocacy, policy reform, and inclusive programming 2.3. Objectives of the Assignment This assignment aims to assess the level, quality, and effectiveness of disability inclusion in public and private schools across selected communities in Rivers State, to inform advocacy, policy reform, and inclusive governance interventions. Specifically, this survey is designed to: Assess physical, institutional, pedagogical, and attitudinal accessibility of schools for students with disabilities. Examine the availability and capacity of trained teachers and inclusive education resources. Evaluate policy awareness and implementation of disability-inclusive education standards. Document lived experiences of students with disabilities and their caregivers. Identify barriers, best practices, and opportunities for improving inclusive education systems. Develop actionable recommendations for government, civil society, donors, and education stakeholders. 2.4. Scope of Work In an effort to achieve the above objectives, the consultant shall undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks: 2.5. Study Design and Methodology The consultant shall develop a comprehensive mixed-method research design incorporating: Quantitative surveys Qualitative interviews Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) Observation of school accessibility and attitudes 2.6. Geographical Coverage All three senatorial districts of Rivers State Minimum of 2 rural schools in each senatorial district and 2 urban schools within the State Capital 2.7. Target Groups Students with disabilities Parents/caregivers Teachers and school administrators Education ministry officials SUBEB officials School proprietors (private schools) 2.8. Key Questions, among others, to be considered by the consultant What is the current status of disability inclusion in schools across Rivers State? How accessible are school infrastructures and learning environments? What capacity gaps exist among teachers and school administrators? What institutional, cultural, and policy barriers limit inclusion? What interventions are required to strengthen inclusive education governance? 2.9. Data Collection The consultant is expected to develop and deploy ethically compliant data collection tools, train enumerators where necessary, and systematically administer surveys and interviews to ensure the collection of high-quality, reliable data. Throughout the process, apply inclusive approaches that actively engage individuals across diverse disability types (physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, psychosocial, and multiple disabilities) so that findings accurately reflect varied experiences and perspectives without bias. 3.1. Reporting and Dissemination Produce high-quality analytical reports Develop advocacy-oriented policy briefs Facilitate stakeholder reflection and validation workshops 3.2. Expected Outputs and Deliverables Output Description Inception Report Methodology, sampling plan, tools, workplan, ethical considerations Survey Instruments Final questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists Clean Dataset Disaggregated and anonymized survey data Draft Report Analytical findings and recommendations Final Report Comprehensive research report Policy Brief Advocacy-focused summary for policymakers Stakeholder Reflection Workshop Validation and dissemination session 4.1. Use of Findings The findings will be used to: Inform advocacy and engagement with Rivers State Government Support legislative reforms and policy formulation Guide inclusive education programming Strengthen donor engagement Improve disability-inclusive budgeting in Rivers state 4.2. Institutional Arrangement The consultant shall: Work closely with the Senior M&E Officer under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, DRF at TAF Africa. Submit all deliverables for review, validation, and approval through a joint meeting with the consultant and TAF Africa team. Participate in coordination and technical review meetings as required. 4.3. Duration of Assignment: 6 weeks 4.4. Reporting Timeline and Payment Schedule Output Timeline Payment Inception Report Within 2 weeks of contract signing 60% Final Report & Outputs Within 4 weeks after approval of the inception report 40% 5.1. Required Qualifications and Experience The lead Consultant should have at least 15 years of proven experience in disability research, governance, or inclusive development. s/he should possess a PhD or MSc in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Education,

Civil Society Statement on Harmonization of the Electoral Bill by the National Assembly

This statement is issued in furtherance of our earlier statement issued on February 5 in which we expressed deep concerns over the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results and use of downloaded missing or unissued voter cards for elections, as well as shortening of critical electoral timelines Read more… Unable to display PDF file. Download instead.