By Gloria Ikibah
The Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI) has announced plans to train 10,000 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as leaders and innovators in the green economy over the next five years.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative’s strategic plan at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday in Abuja, GDGI founder, Mrs. Angelina Ugben, said the programme is rooted in the belief that disability inclusion and environmental sustainability must go hand in hand. 
He said: “Persons With Disabilities are not problems to solve; they are pioneers to empower. This is not about charity—it is about justice in action.”
Under the plan, GDGI will equip PWDs with skills in clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, and green entrepreneurship. Ugben emphasized that the initiative aims to ensure that climate policies and solutions are designed collaboratively with PWDs, tapping into their creativity to build accessible and adaptive technologies across sectors.
The group said the goal is to break down barriers that have historically excluded PWDs from environmental action and to create a generation of disability-smart leaders driving change by 2030.
“In just eight months, GDGI has planted 50 symbolic trees in Karon Majigi, FCT, in partnership with Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD)
“We have trained 25 PWDs in solar photovoltaic installation, in collaboration with ASTEVEN Energy Institute.
“We have distributed 100 solar lamps to students in underserved communities through a partnership with the Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation and Light Up Africa.
“We have also advocated for disability-inclusive climate action at national and international levels, including the United Nations and ECOWAS,” she said.
The founder challenged stakeholders in government, the private sector, and civil society to embrace the vision of an inclusive green economy, saying that PWDs must no longer be left out of the sustainability equation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on PWD, Rep. Bashiru Dawodu commended the founder for the initiative and said that he is proud of the organisation.
Represented by a member of the committee, Rep. Fayinka Oluwatoyin, Dawodu said that PWD are over 30 million in Nigeria and face several challenges every day including discrimination, access employment among others.
“It is because of the belief that these challenges cannot be ameliorated without legislation that the National assembly passed Discrimination against persons with Disability Act in 2018.
“This law protects the rights of PWD in Nigeria and I also have to underscore the significant role played by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in making the law a reality.
“It is noteworthy that the law has a moratorium which expired January 2024, our committee also has the mandate to monitor compliance and implementation of the law.
“We have started the process of doing this and in this connection you will hear more on this in the near future,” he said.
In his good will message,,Deputy Director, Federal ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, Garba Magaji who represented the minister in the ministry commended the initiative and pledged the minisrty’s support and collaboration.
“We are going to partner in ensuring that people with disabilities are taken care of” he added.
