Emeka MosesHBM Nigeria Plc, a leading provider of innovative building solutions and manufacturer of cement, ready-mix, mortar, and Plaster of Paris brands, has commenced the 2026 edition of its Disability to Ability (D2A) programme. This edition aims to provide 120 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) from Alimosho and Epe in Lagos State with practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills to support economic independence and workforce participation.
The six-week programme, delivered in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), kicked off with a joint orientation and launch on September 21, 2026. Participants will receive practical training in Make-Up and Gele, Wig and Braids Making, Phone and Laptop Repairs, and Shoe and Bag Making. Additionally, the programme includes sessions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital skills, business management, sustainable livelihoods, circular economy and green skills. Participants will complete practical projects and assessments, culminating in a graduation showcase of their work.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, HBM Nigeria Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, noted that the D2A programme reflects the company’s belief that disability should not limit or impede the achievement of economic goals. She noted that skills development creates a real opportunity to equip people living with disabilities to pursue sustainable livelihoods.
“Our approach to inclusion centers on fostering an environment in which potential is recognised and developed. Through D2A, we equip participants with the practical skills and broader business knowledge needed to develop their abilities, earn a living, and participate fully in society.’ Graham-Douglas said.
The D2A programme builds on HBM Nigeria’s previous efforts aimed at promoting inclusion and economic empowerment among persons with disabilities. In the 2025 edition, the company successfully trained 100 PWDs across Lagos in laptop and phone repairs, make-up and gele, wig and braids making, and shoe and bag production, in partnership with LSETF, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and other key stakeholders.
