TAF Africa Trains 150 Election Observers Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election

The IT Officer taking a session with observers during the training session

TAF Africa's IT officer attending to an election observer during the training exercise

Picture of the Assistant Programme Manager Facilitating a session with observers

A cross section of election observation trainees

Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State — 17–18 June 2026

As dawn broke over Ekiti State, a diverse group of citizens began arriving at the training venue with a shared sense of purpose. Teachers, community advocates, youth leaders, disability rights champions, and civic-minded volunteers gathered for one reason: to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

Within days, they would be deployed across polling units as election observers — the eyes and ears of democracy — tasked with documenting not only what happened on election day, but also whether every eligible voter, including persons with disabilities, was given an equal opportunity to participate.

Recognizing that effective observation takes more than goodwill, TAF Africa convened a two-day training designed to turn this group into informed, objective, and technologically equipped monitors. By the end, they left not merely as observers, but as ambassadors of democratic inclusion.

A Cornerstone of Inclusive Election Observation

The training in Ekiti State served as a cornerstone of TAF Africa’s election observation strategy under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme. Its focus: strengthening inclusive, credible, and evidence-based election observation ahead of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election.

The programme equipped participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and technological tools required for effective monitoring — with a deliberate emphasis on accessibility, inclusion, and the protection of voting rights for marginalized groups, particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs).

While the original plan was to train 150 observers across two batches of 75, turnout told its own story of commitment: 48 observers attended on the first day and 102 on the second. In total, the training reached all 150 registered observers, building a strong network of prepared, informed monitors ready to support a transparent and inclusive electoral process.

Setting the Tone

The training opened with registration, prayers, and the national anthem, followed by a welcome session led by George Anwayi, Assistant Programme Manager of TAF Africa. He introduced participants to the workshop’s objectives and underscored the significance of their role in promoting electoral accountability and inclusion — stressing professionalism, neutrality, and integrity throughout.

Participants also shared their own backgrounds and prior experience in election observation and civic engagement, helping build the collaborative learning environment that carried through the technical sessions to come.

Putting Inclusion at the Center

A key session, facilitated by Dr. Andrew Adaji, Programme Manager of TAF Africa, gave participants an overview of TAF Africa’s Election Inclusion Strategy under the EU-SDGN Programme. The session unpacked the barriers voters with disabilities routinely face and the interventions TAF Africa has implemented to improve accessibility, voter education, and participation.

Participants were introduced to the disability-inclusive indicators that would guide their observation activities on election day — a reminder that credible election monitoring means paying close attention to accessibility measures at polling units and to the lived experiences of marginalized groups.

Standards of Conduct and Staying Safe

Another core component covered the role of election observers and the standards expected of them: impartiality, objectivity, confidentiality, and professionalism. Facilitators also addressed security awareness and personal safety, guiding observers on how to manage risk, avoid confrontation, and maintain clear communication with relevant authorities on election day.

Scenario-based discussions helped participants understand both their responsibilities and the limits of their role as accredited observers.

Technology in the Field: The TAF Disability Hub Application

Facilitated by Kohol Iornav, TAF Africa’s Information Technology Officer, this session introduced participants to the TAF Disability Hub Application — a digital platform built to support real-time election observation and reporting. Observers learned to document incidents, upload reports, submit eyewitness accounts, and capture data through the platform.

A live demonstration and hands-on practice gave participants confidence in using technology for accurate, timely reporting — a critical capability for the days ahead.

Practicing with the Observers’ Checklist

Dr. Andrew Adaji also led a practical session on the Election Observers’ Checklist, a key tool for gathering standardized, credible data. The checklist covers indicators such as polling unit accessibility, voter assistance, the conduct of election officials, security presence, availability of election materials, and the participation of persons with disabilities.

Participants practiced applying the checklist to simulated election scenarios, learning to record observations objectively and steer clear of subjective interpretation.

Learning Through Role-Play

To bring the training to life, Jennifer Dafwat, Senior Communication Officer at TAF Africa, led group discussions and role-play exercises simulating common election-day situations — from interacting with election officials and reporting incidents, to observing accessibility challenges and engaging with voters with disabilities.

These sessions encouraged teamwork and critical thinking, gave facilitators a chance to clear up misconceptions, and — according to participant feedback — stood out as among the most valuable parts of the entire training.

Ready for Election Day

The training closed with a reflection session and remarks from Dr. Andrew Adaji, as participants shared key lessons learned and voiced their readiness to take on their observation duties during the governorship election. Facilitators reinforced one central message: objective, timely, and credible reporting is what will strengthen democratic governance and electoral inclusion in Ekiti State.

With 160 observers now trained and equipped, TAF Africa’s network stands ready to serve as the eyes and ears of democracy — and to make sure the voices and experiences of persons with disabilities are visible throughout Ekiti State’s electoral process.

Breaking the Hearing Impairment Barrier: 25 Sign Language Interpreters Deployed to Support Deaf Voters in Ekiti

Ekiti State — June 2026 Governorship Election For deaf voters, an election is often a silent struggle before it is a civic right. Instructions are shouted across polling units. Procedures are explained once, quickly, in words that never reach them. For years, this communication gap has quietly excluded persons with hearing impairments from fully and independently exercising their right to vote. In Ekiti State, that gap narrowed. Building on the success of a similar deployment in Anambra State, TAF Africa trained and deployed 25 Sign Language Interpreters (SLIs) to polling units with a significant presence of deaf voters during the Ekiti State Governorship Election — a deliberate, targeted push to remove communication barriers and make the ballot box accessible to all. Preparing the Interpreters Before deployment, the interpreters took part in a one-day virtual training designed to prepare them for the realities of the election environment. The session covered electoral procedures, voter assistance protocols, ethical considerations, communication standards, and the specific roles and responsibilities of an SLI on election day — ensuring that support at the polling unit would be not just present, but professional, consistent, and rights-respecting. Finding the Voters Who Needed Them Good intentions only translate into impact when they reach the right people in the right places. To make sure they did, TAF Africa partnered with the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN) and the Ekiti State Association of the Deaf to identify exactly where deaf voters were registered to vote. By cross-referencing INEC data with the deaf association’s own database, the team mapped registered deaf voters to specific polling units across selected Local Government Areas — turning a broad commitment to inclusion into a precise, data-driven deployment plan. On the Ground, on Election Day The 25 trained interpreters were deployed to polling units across six LGAs: Ado Ekiti, Ekiti West, Ikere, Ido/Osi, Ijero, and Oye. Of the 25 deployed, 23 successfully supported their assigned deaf voters and submitted deployment reports — a strong completion rate that speaks to both the quality of preparation and the commitment of the interpreters themselves. Their presence meant that electoral information, voting procedures, and voter education messages reached deaf voters clearly and directly — not filtered through guesswork or a well-meaning stranger’s improvised gestures, but communicated by trained professionals who understood both the language and the stakes. The Numbers Behind the Impact In total, 103 deaf voters received interpretation support across 24 polling units in the six participating LGAs. S/N LGA Polling Units SLIs Deployed Deaf Voters Reached 1 Ado Ekiti 15 14 47 2 Ekiti West 1 1 1 3 Ikere 2 2 5 4 Ido/Osi 1 1 2 5 Ijero 2 2 44 6 Oye 3 3 4 Total 24 23 103 Deaf voters reached with SLI support by LGA during the Ekiti State Governorship Election, 20 June 2026. A Precedent Worth Repeating Feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders was consistent: the presence of trained sign language interpreters made a real difference in how deaf voters experienced the election — not as passive recipients of assistance, but as informed, independent participants in the democratic process. More than a single election-day intervention, the initiative sets an important precedent. It shows that with the right partnerships, the right data, and the right training, electoral inclusion for persons with hearing impairments is not an aspiration — it is achievable, replicable, and measurable. As TAF Africa continues to champion inclusive democratic participation, this deployment stands as evidence of what’s possible when accessibility is designed into the electoral process from the start, rather than added as an afterthought.

EU SDGN Inclusivity Cluster Hosts Media Reflection Meeting With Media Executives, Regulators, and PWD Leadership on Media Inclusivity in Ekiti State

Media executives, regulators, development partners, and leaders in the community of persons with disabilities (PWDs) gathered in Ado-Ekiti on May 26, 2026 for a high-level reflection meeting on media inclusivity, aimed at strengthening inclusive media practices in the lead-up to the Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Election and Beyond. The meeting, convened by the EU SDGN Inclusivity Cluster, a partnership including TAF Africa, Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF), International Press Centre (IPC), and Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), created a platform for reviewing progress, identifying gaps, and charting actionable pathways for inclusive media engagement. A central focus of the meeting was the role of the media in ensuring equitable political participation. Through expert presentations and discussions, participants explored how media institutions can better amplify the voices and concerns of marginalised groups, particularly persons with disabilities, in electoral processes. Media Partners, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) and International Press Centre (IPC) led key session on Media Inclusivity and Democratic Participation in Electoral Processes while the participants also reviewed findings from the TAF Africa Media Political Inclusion Index Assessment, highlighting critical gaps in representation and accessibility across media platforms.

TAF Africa Concludes Able2Vote Community Outreach Across Six (6) Communities in Ekiti State

Oye? ✅Ikere? ✅Ado North? ✅Moba? ✅Ado West? ✅Ado Central? ✅ Six Communities. Six LGAs. One Powerful Message: Persons with Disabilities are #Able2Vote. Yesterday, we successfully concluded the Able2Vote Community Outreach across Ekiti State.Across multiple communities—engaging simultaneously—we connected with members of the disability community, raising awareness about their rights as citizens and amplifying their expectations of INEC, security agencies, the media, and political actors ahead of the Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election.Across multiple communities—engaging simultaneously—we connected with members of the disability community, raising awareness about their rights as citizens and amplifying their expectations of INEC, security agencies, the media, and political actors ahead of the Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election.As we approach the elections, we call on INEC to: Uphold the constitutional rights of Persons with Disabilities Ensure priority voting and allow self-appointed guides Provide assistive voting devices at polling units Make Form EC40H readily available—no request required Guarantee accessible polling units for all See also: Ekiti 2026 :TAF Africa Extends ‘Able2Vote’ Community Outreach Enlightenment Campaign to Moba LGA, tasks PWDs on effective participation – TIMES DAILY NIGERIA PWDs Urge INEC, Stakeholders to Prioritize Their Interests During Elections – RADIO NIGERIA 150 PWD Observers to Monitor Ekiti Off-Cycle Election – NAN Ekiti Poll: TAF Africa to deploy 25 Sign Language Interpreters – THE GUARDIAN

A History of TAF Africa – Disability Inclusion Champion

A History of TAF Africa – Disability Inclusion Champion The story of TAF Africa is deeply human. Founded in 2006 by Epelle Jake, his personal experiences of discrimination, exclusion, and limited access to quality healthcare lit a propellant that sparked the response to a shared injustice. It started as a focused platform for the protection of the rights and dignity of persons with albinism, but with each intervention, a broader truth was revealed: the systemic barriers faced by people with albinism were part of a wider ecosystem of exclusion affecting millions of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Africa. This revelation shaped the evolution of the organization and expanded the scope of work, transforming The Albino Foundation into TAF Africa, a reflection of the continental vision anchored in diversity, equity, inclusion, and participation. This new identity signalled a strategic shift toward influencing systems, policies, and narratives around disability in Africa. Today, twenty years later, we are an advocacy and implementation capacity building partner equipping communities with tools to lead change and is a trusted voice on disability inclusion in development discourse. We operate across Nigeria, collaborating with governments, civil society, and development partners to drive home our mission of inclusion. Our history shows how our advocacy has been translated through our key thematic areas, intersecting elections, governance, education, empowerment, healthcare, and access to justice; drawing from policy, community engagement, and lived realities. We have consistently engaged with lawmakers and government institutions to push for inclusive legislation, political participation of PWDs, and enforcement of disability rights frameworks at national and sub-national levels. We support policymaking with evidence-based advocacy, helping governments design inclusive policies that leave no on behind. Together with our partners and other OPDs, our work with government institutions has culminated in multiple legislative victories like the Nigerian Discrimination Against Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, the national Inclusive Education policy, and the increasing inclusivity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Over the past two decades, TAF’s journey has worked alongside development partners and other NGOs, like the British Council, the European Union, Disability Rights Fund, Sightsavers, MacArthur Foundation, National Democratic Institute, JONAPWD, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and many others to mainstream disability inclusion into broader development programmers. We aim to situate global inclusion frameworks within grassroots, subnational, and national contexts. Looking ahead, our history is a testament to growth, adaptability, and purpose. As Africa’s development conversations increasingly emphasize infrastructure and energy reform, strategic financial and economic alignment, and discerning foreign policy, equity and participation must be at the heart of Africa’s story. For young people seeking purpose, policymakers designing inclusive futures, partners investing for impact, our story is an open invitation to join us as we walk the path of inclusion.