ABUJA, Nigeria – A new chapter in the campaign for disability inclusion and equal opportunities for Deaf persons in Nigeria has begun as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) pledged its full institutional support to the Yagazie Weng Umezurike Foundation for the Deaf (YWUFD) following a high-level courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, held on July 2, 2026, was more than a ceremonial engagement. It marked the beginning of what stakeholders described as a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to inclusive education, assistive technology, disability advocacy, and sustainable empowerment programmes for Deaf persons and the broader community of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria.
At the heart of the meeting was a shared vision—to ensure that no Deaf child or person with a disability is left behind because of stigma, discrimination, or lack of access to opportunities.
The delegation from the Yagazie Weng Umezurike Foundation for the Deaf was led by Mr. Okoroafor Alexander Uchechukwu, alongside the Foundation’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sylvester Umezurike Ekeoma, Mrs. K. N. Philip, Mr. Chibisi Nwabeze, and young Master Yagazie Weng Umezurike, whose inspiring life story gave birth to the Foundation.
They were received by the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, alongside senior officials from the Department of Social Integration, the Assistive Devices Unit, and other departments of the Commission.
Foundation Seeks Government Partnership
Introducing the delegation, Mr. Okoroafor Alexander Uchechukwu explained that the Foundation was established with a clear purpose—to create opportunities for Deaf children and young persons by promoting inclusive education, advocating for their rights, and implementing empowerment initiatives capable of improving their quality of life.
He noted that while awareness around disability inclusion has increased in recent years, many Deaf persons continue to face barriers in education, employment, communication, and access to essential services.
According to him, meaningful progress can only be achieved when government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector work together to bridge these longstanding gaps.
He stressed that the Foundation was seeking a strong institutional partnership with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to ensure that its programmes align with national disability policies and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s disability inclusion agenda.
A Father’s Journey Inspires a National Mission
One of the most emotional moments of the meeting came when the Founder and CEO of the Foundation, Mr. Sylvester Umezurike Ekeoma, narrated the personal story behind the establishment of the organization.
He revealed that the Foundation was inspired by the experiences of his son, Master Yagazie Weng Umezurike, whose journey exposed the numerous obstacles faced by Deaf children in accessing quality and genuinely inclusive education.
According to him, although many educational institutions claim to practice inclusion, significant challenges remain, including inadequate accessibility, shortage of trained teachers, limited specialized learning materials, and insufficient disability support services.
These realities, he explained, motivated the creation of the Foundation as a platform dedicated to advocacy, empowerment, education, and expanding opportunities for Deaf children and other young persons with disabilities.
He expressed optimism that with the support of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Foundation would be able to reach more beneficiaries and deliver lasting impact across Nigeria.
NCPWD Highlights the Importance of Assistive Technology
Following the Foundation’s presentation, officials from the Commission commended the vision and commitment demonstrated by the organization.
Representatives from the Department of Social Integration and the Assistive Devices Unit described assistive technology as one of the most powerful tools for improving the independence and quality of life of Persons with Disabilities.
They explained that modern assistive technologies enhance communication, education, mobility, productivity, and participation in society, enabling persons with disabilities to live more independently.
However, they observed that the high cost of these technologies remains one of the biggest barriers preventing many Nigerians with disabilities from accessing them.
The officials therefore encouraged the Foundation to make assistive technology support one of its priority intervention areas, noting that such programmes could significantly improve the lives of Deaf persons and many others within the disability community.
The Commission also advised the Foundation to complete its formal registration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
According to the officials, registration would provide official recognition, strengthen institutional collaboration, facilitate documentation, and position the Foundation for future partnerships and government-supported initiatives.
The Foundation welcomed the recommendation and immediately expressed its commitment to obtaining the required registration documents and completing the process.
Ayuba Gufwan: No Child Should Be Hidden Because of Disability
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, warmly welcomed the delegation and praised the establishment of the Yagazie Weng Umezurike Foundation for the Deaf.
He prayed for the continued growth of the Foundation and expressed confidence that its programmes would positively impact countless lives across Nigeria.
Drawing from his own lived experience as a person with a disability, Gufwan spoke passionately about the discrimination and misconceptions that continue to affect many families.
He lamented that some parents still hide children with disabilities because of societal stigma, denying them opportunities to receive education, develop their talents, and participate fully in society.
According to him, every individual is created with unique gifts and a purpose that should never be limited by disability.
He called on families, communities, government institutions, development partners, and civil society organizations to work together in creating an environment where persons with disabilities can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Executive Secretary assured the Foundation that the Commission would provide every support within its statutory mandate to help the organization achieve its vision.
He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to promoting inclusive policies and building partnerships capable of improving the welfare of persons with disabilities across the country.
Following his address, members of his support team summarized the key resolutions reached during the meeting before formally bringing the engagement to a close.
Major Commitments Reached
The meeting produced several important outcomes expected to strengthen disability inclusion efforts in Nigeria.
Among the resolutions were the Commission’s commitment to support the programmes and activities of the Yagazie Weng Umezurike Foundation for the Deaf, encouragement for the Foundation to expand interventions on assistive technology, advice to complete formal registration with the Commission, and the Foundation’s commitment to comply with the registration process to deepen future collaboration.
A Partnership Built on Hope
The courtesy visit ended with official group photographs featuring the Executive Secretary, senior officials of the Commission, members of the Foundation’s delegation, and Master Yagazie Weng Umezurike—the young boy whose story has become a symbol of resilience, hope, and determination to ensure that no Deaf child is denied the opportunity to succeed.
Beyond the photographs and formalities, the meeting represented a shared commitment to breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating a more inclusive Nigeria where every person, regardless of disability, can realize their full potential.
As the Yagazie Weng Umezurike Foundation for the Deaf begins this partnership with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, stakeholders believe the collaboration has the potential to reshape access to education, advocacy, assistive technology, and empowerment for thousands of Deaf children and persons with disabilities across the country, reinforcing the principle that inclusion is not charity but a fundamental human right.
Click the link below to join our WhatsApp channel
