PWDs receive business boost at SME clinic in Abuja
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria have received renewed hope of economic empowerment following a two-day SME Clinic organised by Sightsavers Nigeria in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in Abuja. The initiative, aimed at equipping indigent PWDs with tools to formalise and grow their businesses, featured corporate registration support, access […]
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria have received renewed hope of economic empowerment following a two-day SME Clinic organised by Sightsavers Nigeria in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in Abuja.
The initiative, aimed at equipping indigent PWDs with tools to formalise and grow their businesses, featured corporate registration support, access to financial services, and networking with relevant government agencies.
Project Implementing Officer at Sightsavers, Mr. David Okorafor, said the clinic was designed to bridge the economic inclusion gap facing PWDs.
“We would have created a very huge opportunity for persons with disabilities so that they can access helpful support in their business development and growth,” he said.
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He added that, “This SME clinic shows a way that this can be done and also serves as a call for more partners, more people to do work.”
He noted that with adequate funding and government support, similar clinics can be scaled across states like Lagos and Kano.
In his part, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, described the event as a platform to address systemic barriers confronting PWDs in business.
“This is an SME clinic… We have called the Corporate Affairs Commission to help register businesses. The Bank of Industry and related agencies are here so that people with disabilities can have their financial needs met,” he said.
Gufwan lamented that financial exclusion remains a major obstacle, but praised the presence of stakeholders such as Stanbic IBTC and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Bank of Industry for supporting the clinic.
He called on governments at all levels to increase investment in disability-focused enterprise support under the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding, “Even if it wasn’t good in the past, we are trying to rewrite the history of disability inclusion.”
“We want to put an end to exclusion in all ramification and at the end of this, produce top business moguls out of this small beginning,” he said.