Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading provider of building solutions across Nigeria, is actively addressing a significant opportunity within the nation’s labor pool by focusing on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). To observe the recent International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the corporation hosted participants from its Disability-to-Ability (D2A) Programme, a pioneering vocational training initiative designed to furnish PWDs with highly marketable skills essential for securing self-employment and achieving financial independence.
Operating under the rallying cry “Ability Reimagined,” the D2A curriculum is slated to deliver training to 100 individuals across four distinct entrepreneurial fields: repair of laptops and mobile devices, professional make-up artistry and head-tie (gele) styling, production of wigs and intricate braided hairstyles, and manufacturing of quality shoes and bags. This robust undertaking is a powerful joint effort between the corporation and several state bodies, including the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), alongside disability advocate Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa. This partnership exemplifies how corporate social responsibility can intersect with governmental skills programs to foster genuinely inclusive economic advancement.
The program’s strategic deployment across two distinct centers—one in Ikeja (Lagos West) and one in Ikorodu (Lagos East)—ensures maximum geographic accessibility for trainees, underscoring Lafarge’s dedication to comprehensive inclusion. This operational approach reflects an increasing trend in Nigerian commerce where corporations integrate social benefit into their primary business models, especially as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors become increasingly critical to investment decisions.
Viola Graham-Douglas, the Director of Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainable Development for Lafarge Africa, spoke at the event, characterizing the D2A as definitive evidence of the firm’s pledge to promote sustainable livelihoods, inclusivity, and empowerment. She stressed that the initiative goes far beyond teaching mere technical skills, providing crucial elements like mentorship, education in financial literacy, and entrepreneurial coaching coordinated by the LSETF. She declared, “Our mission extends beyond creating building materials; we are dedicated to constructing society, strengthening homes, and enabling individuals to realize their highest potential.”
A key focus of the training is the cultivation of new micro-professionals and business owners capable of thriving in Nigeria’s expansive informal economy, which constitutes over 60 percent of all national employment. By equipping PWDs with in-demand competencies, Lafarge is directly challenging the systemic hurdles that have historically excluded disabled individuals from both formal and informal job markets.
Inspiring the trainees, Tunde Onakoya, the renowned Guinness World Record holder and champion of disability inclusion, shared personal anecdotes about leveraging his talents, despite physical challenges, to achieve international travel and generate opportunities beyond typical limitations. He advised the participants, “Your abilities are a gift. Be persistent, trust in yourselves, and leverage what you possess to generate worth.”
The attendance of top Lagos State officials highlighted the successful public-private sector collaboration driving the project. Feyisayo Alayande, the Executive Secretary of LSETF, personally led a rapid mentoring session, offering practical advice on business strategy and management. Additionally, Adekola Oluwafunmilayo, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for LASODA, stressed the principle of collective responsibility, stating, “Achieving a truly inclusive society is not solely the government’s burden. It demands persistent effort, empathy, and cooperation from all stakeholders.”
LASODA publicly praised the combined efforts of Lafarge and LSETF for supplying graduates with essential starter toolkits and support for business registration. These vital interventions substantially lower the barriers to entry, facilitating the immediate market participation of PWD entrepreneurs.
