0703 112 4423

990 NAL Boulevard, Central Business District Abuja
info@tafafrica.co
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin Instagram
DONATE

ADVOCACY VISIT TO MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (MAN)

The TAF Africa and Sightsavers team led by Ambassador Jake Epelle, the CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, visited the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) at their office in Lagos. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the ongoing Economic Empowerment Project for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), which is funded by Sightsavers and implemented by TAF Africa. The primary objective of the visit was to get the buy-in of MAN and explore potential partnership opportunities between TAF Africa and MAN to enhance the project's impact and promote disability inclusion among its member organizations, as well as to establish a collaborative partnership between TAF Africa and MAN to promote economic empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within the framework of the Economic Empowerment Project. The meeting had in attendance the Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) – Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, TAF Africa’s delegates led by its CEO/Founder and the representative of Sightsavers. Amb. Jake Epelle introduced the Economic Empowerment Project and made the following requests to MAN:
  1. Sign Language Interpreters: The engagement of sign language interpreters during meetings to ensure effective communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing participants.
  2. Accessibility Audit: TAF Africa and Sightsavers offered to conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit for MAN and its partner organizations at no cost, aiming to identify and address barriers that hinder the full participation of PWDs. It was observed that the building housing MAN’s office was not accessible to Persons with Disabilities.
  3. Joint Team for Project Examination: A proposal was put forth to establish a collaborative team comprising members from both TAF Africa and MAN. This team would examine the project's details and jointly design modalities for its successful implementation.
In response to TAF Africa's presentation and requests, the Director General (DG) of MAN committed to opening avenues for further engagement with the organized private sector, facilitating a platform for TAF Africa to engage with other Director Generals on the project thereby reaching more organizations with the message of disability inclusive workforce. He also acknowledged the absence of PWD representation in the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. The DG expressed his willingness to address this issue and ensure the inclusion of PWDs in the committee. He requested TAF Africa to prepare a position paper on this matter for presentation to the committee and committed to the appointment of a disability Desk officer from among the staff to handle disability matters. Gambo Yohanna 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). In addition, Gambo explained that Sightsavers is implementing the project through OPDs to ensure sustainability. George Dominic Anwayi, the Assistant Programme Manager, TAF Africa added his voice to the advocacy. He requested access to ten (10) key organizations in Lagos and ten (10) in Abuja as pilot organizations for this phase of the project. Accessibility Audit will be conducted on the selected organizations both in Lagos and Abuja, to prepare the ground for the recruitment of persons with disabilities.Top of Form This advocacy visit to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) marked a significant step towards promoting economic empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) within the context of the Economic Empowerment Project funded by Sightsavers and implemented by TAF Africa.

More Posts

Stakeholders’ Preparedness for a Disability Inclusive Governorship Election in Anambra State

PRESS STATEMENT TAF AFRICA TO HOST LIVE TELEVISION STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE ELECTION PREPAREDNESS IN ANAMBRA STATE In its sustained effort to promote disability-inclusive democratic processes in Nigeria, TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN 11) Programme, will host a Live Television Stakeholders’ Engagement on the preparedness of key institutions to deliver a disability­ inclusive governorship election in Anambra State. The 2-hour live broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, 12th October 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will besimultaneously streamed from Anambra state on Arise Television, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Awka, and the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to ensure wider public reach and visibility. The televised engage1nent aims to provide a public platform for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media, and the community of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to discuss institutional readiness, collaboration, and commitments toward ensuring an accessible, inclusive, and credible election in Anambra State on November 8, 2025. According to Ambassador Jake Epelle, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, “Elections are not truly democratic until every eligible citizen, including persons with disabilities, can participate on an equal basis. This live engagement provides an avenue for transparency, public accountability, and shared responsibility among critical stakeholders ahead of the Anambra governorship election.” The engagement will feature two high-level panel sessions. The first session, moderated by Amb. Jake Epelle will bring together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to discuss institutional and security preparedness. The second session, moderated by George Anwayi, Senior Programme Officer at TAF Africa, will engage media executives and disability advocates, including the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the General Manager of NTA Awka, and the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, to explore inclusive media coverage and public awareness strategies. This live engagement forms part of TAF Africa’s broader #AbletoVote campaign under the EU-SDGN II programme, designed to strengthen disability-inclusive electoral reforms, promote civic participation, and inspire public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system. TAF Africa aims to create a barrier-free political environment that promotes the full participation of persons with disabilities in the country’s democratic journey by bringing critical voices to the table and broadcasting the discussion live to millions of Nigerians. For media enquiries, please contact: Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer, TAF Africa, 07068091367 or l.agwuncha@tafafrica.co https://youtu.be/k89KkHX5u7c

TAF Africa and European Union in Nigeria make history with first PWD Legislative Internship program

https://youtu.be/yHteZEpn1oU History was made at Nigeria’s National Assembly! For the first time, interns with disabilities worked inside legislative committees, shaping conversations and proving that democracy is stronger when it is inclusive. Watch their inspiring journey in TAF Africa‘s new documentary, funded by the European Union in Nigeria under its European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme.

TAF Africa hosts Capacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting and Budget Analysis for Disability Cluster Leaders in River State funded by Disability Rights Fund

DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 17 DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 16 DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 15 DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 14 TAF Africa hosted a Capacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting and Budget Analysis for Disability Cluster Leaders in River State, funded by Disability Rights Fund. The objective of this workshop is to strengthen the capability of Disability Leaders to advocate for equitable budgetary allocations in line with the Rivers State Disability Law and the Sustainable Development Goals. The workship focused on strategies and best practices to influence Budget priorities through advocacy and engagement, presented by our Senior programme officer George Anwayi Dominic. Participants also delivered a group work on analysing Budget allocations for disability inclusion (sectoral focus -Education, health and social welfare). This session was facilitated by Dr. Igochukwu Wali, Director Budget, River State ministry of Budget and economic planning.

Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters visits TAF Africa HQ

EU delegation visits TAF 3 EU delegation visits TAF 2 EU delegation visits TAF 1 EU delegation visits TAF The team leader & Political Analyst, European Union Election Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters visited us yesterday. He came to follow up on the implementation status of the European Union in Nigeria Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) recommendations from the 2023 General Elections, particularly on disability inclusion.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn