HBM Nigeria Plc has launched the 2026 edition of its Disability to Ability (D2A) programme, targeting 120 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos State for vocational and entrepreneurial training as the building materials manufacturer expands its inclusion and economic empowerment initiatives.
The six-week programme, delivered in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), is designed to equip participants from Alimosho and Epe with practical skills to support self-employment, sustainable livelihoods, and greater participation in the workforce.
Launched with a joint orientation on September 21, 2026, the programme will train participants in make-up and gele (a traditional Yoruba headwrap), wig and braids making, phone and laptop repairs, and shoe and bag production.
The vocational courses will be complemented by sessions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital skills, business management, the circular economy, and green skills.
This initiative comes amid growing emphasis on skills development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic participation as pathways to expanding livelihood opportunities for Nigerians facing barriers to formal employment.
Viola Graham-Douglas, director of communications, public affairs, and sustainable development at HBM Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s position that disability should not prevent people from achieving their economic goals.
“Our approach to inclusion centres on supporting 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 2026 programme builds on the company’s 2025 edition, which trained 100 persons with disabilities across Lagos in phone and laptop repairs, make-up and gele, wig and braids making, and shoe and bag production.
That edition was implemented in partnership with LSETF, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and other stakeholders.
With the latest cohort, HBM Nigeria is seeking to extend the reach of the initiative while incorporating business and digital competencies alongside technical training.
The inclusion of financial literacy and business management is particularly relevant to participants seeking to convert vocational skills into income-generating activities, while digital training could help them access customers and participate in a wider marketplace.
The programme’s focus on sustainable livelihoods and green skills also introduces environmental and resource-efficiency considerations into its approach to vocational development.
Participants will undertake practical projects and assessments before showcasing their work at the programme’s graduation.
