The Ekiti State Government has equipped 100 persons with disabilities with trade and work tools following their graduation from an intensive skills acquisition training programme. The programme, organised by the Office of Disability Affairs and the Office of the Special Adviser, Special Education and Social Inclusion, aimed to provide PWDs with practical knowledge and skills to become self-reliant and establish their own businesses. Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration has prioritized inclusive governance and programmes that give every citizen a sense of belonging.
The beneficiaries were trained in various vocational skills, including Information and Communication Technology, tailoring, hairdressing, shoemaking, catering, and hospitality. They received necessary machines, tools, and equipment, such as sewing machines, hairdressing and salon equipment, shoemaking machines and tools, ICT equipment, and catering and hospitality equipment. Oyebanji, represented by Chief of Staff Oyeniyi Adebayo, emphasized the administration's commitment to building a society where PWDs can access opportunities, acquire skills, and contribute to the state's development.
The programme seeks to promote independence, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure PWDs are active participants in the state's economic and social development. Oyebanji's administration has demonstrated its commitment to inclusive governance, all-round development, economic empowerment, and creating opportunities for every segment of the population, including PWDs. The governor charged the graduands to make good use of the skills and equipment provided, urging them to remain focused and determined to succeed.
The Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Adetoun Agboola, noted that the training and empowerment programme has recorded steady growth since its inception. The programme started with 30 participants in 2023, increased to 40 in 2024, 60 in 2025, and 100 in 2026. Agboola attributed the expansion to the Oyebanji administration's commitment to creating opportunities for PWDs, emphasizing that "disability is not inability."
The 2026 class is particularly significant, with 10 of the 100 beneficiaries being parents of children with severe disabilities. These parents had previously been unable to pursue meaningful economic activities due to the round-the-clock care required by their children. The establishment of the EKSG Therapy Centre for Children with Disabilities has provided a safe and professional environment for these children to receive therapy and care, enabling their parents to acquire skills and engage in economic activities.
Agboola stressed that the programme's growth is a result of the government's belief in the potential of PWDs. The initiative has provided a platform for PWDs to acquire skills, become self-reliant, and contribute to the state's economic and social development. The programme's impact is expected to be long-term, with beneficiaries equipped to establish their own businesses and create jobs.
The Ekiti State Government's empowerment programme for PWDs is a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities. The programme's focus on vocational training and tool provision will enable beneficiaries to become self-reliant and contribute to the state's economy. With the programme's steady growth, it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of PWDs in Ekiti State.
Key points
- Ekiti State Government empowers 100 PWDs with vocational skills and tools to promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
- The programme has recorded steady growth since its inception, with 100 PWDs graduating and receiving empowerment support in 2026.
- The initiative has provided a platform for PWDs to acquire skills, become self-reliant, and contribute to the state's economic and social development.
