Recently, the GreenAbility Workshop convened over 100 young People With Disabilities (PWDs), educators, policymakers, and sustainability professionals at the IACD Library, Ibadan, to explore inclusive opportunities in the country’s growing green economy.
The workshop was part of the African Climate Alliance Climate Week events happening across Africa.
Held under the theme “GreenAbility: Unlocking Opportunities for Young PWDs in the Green Economy,” the event combined education, storytelling, and hands-on demonstrations to highlight career pathways in solar energy, recycling, sustainable agriculture, and creative upcycling.
Opening the event, Hannah Omokhaye, Founder of EcoSmart Club and Convener of the GreenAbility Project, explained the project’s vision: “The GreenAbility Project aims to equip young persons with disabilities to build climate resilience through leadership, education, green skills, and community building. Many people underestimate the potential of PWDs, but we believe they are central to achieving an inclusive and just transition.”
Setting the economic and policy context, Precious Oparanozie, Partnership Manager at Green Growth Africa, stressed that PWDs must not be excluded from Nigeria’s green economy, which refers to economic growth driven by environmentally sustainable industries such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. She further linked this to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, the national strategy to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. “The economic case is clear: when we exclude the estimated 35.1 million PWDs in Nigeria from participating in the green economy, we are not just failing them, we are failing our nation’s potential for sustainable development and prosperity,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Hajia Audu Amina, Founder of Rebuilding Hope on Wheels Initiative, underscored the barriers preventing young PWDs from thriving in the green economy. “Many young persons are not yet in the green economy because information is not accessible, training centers are not inclusive, funding and mentorship are limited, and green policies do not mainstream PWDs. In her words, young PWDs are solution providers, and green businesses and CSOs should train, mentor, and hire them,”
The workshop also featured a high-level panel session on “Inclusive Pathways into the Green Economy”, with contributions from leading green experts including Mrs. Damilola Asaleye(Founder, Ashdam Solar), Anita Odiete(Co-founder, Atunlo), Mrs. Olowookere(Founder, Waste Museum), Mr. Yusuf Olatunji (Disability Rights Advocate and Entrepreneur), and Ojuoluwa Oluwatobiloba (Executive Director, Youth Movement for SDGs). The panelists shared their stories and highlighted inclusive pathways into the green economy, demonstrating how young Persons with Disabilities can actively participate and thrive in Nigeria’s transition to a Greener future.
Participants also engaged in fireside chats and expo-style practical sessions with recyclers, upcyclers, solar technicians, and green farmers, gaining direct exposure to tools, training opportunities, and career pathways.
Accessibility was central to the event’s design, with provisions such as a wheelchair-accessible venue and sign language interpretation ensuring full participation for all attendees.
Reflecting on the impact, Anuoluwapo Ogunrinu, Project Lead of GreenAbility and a young person with disability herself, said: “For many participants, this was their first introduction to the concept of green jobs. As someone who also navigates these barriers, I know the hope and inspiration that comes from realizing we, too, can contribute to Nigeria’s green economy, regardless of our disabilities.”
