By Ali Sabo
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a pioneering ICT-based organization, is on a mission to drive social inclusion and unlock new opportunities for Nigeria’s underserved communities. With a particular focus on empowering people with disabilities (PWDs), CITAD is not only addressing systemic barriers but actively creating pathways for their full integration into society. In a country where nearly 20% of the population lives with one form of disability, CITAD is a beacon of hope, dismantling stigmas and advocating for a future in which no one is left behind.
Social inclusion cannot be achieved by a single organization; it requires a collective effort from government bodies, civil society, the media, and local communities. Yet, CITAD has taken on the challenge wholeheartedly, confronting the significant obstacles that people with disabilities face—from limited access to education, healthcare, and social services, to a pervasive lack of social interaction and employment opportunities. In Nigeria, persons with disabilities are too often regarded as second-class citizens, yet CITAD is relentlessly working to change this narrative and show that PWDs are resilient, capable, and indispensable members of society.
Changing Lives Through Technology
The rapid evolution of technology has the power to reshape entire sectors, from healthcare to education and employment. CITAD understands this and has crafted innovative strategies to integrate people with disabilities into the digital economy, harnessing technology’s transformative potential to bridge gaps and break down barriers. Through sustained advocacy efforts, CITAD has empowered over 60 persons with disabilities to secure government jobs in Kano State, a groundbreaking achievement rooted in amplifying their voices and upholding their rights. These new civil servants were provided with additional training to ease their transition, thanks to a program on civil service processes and ethics supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
Training and Advocacy: Building a Voice for Change
To prepare PWDs for this digital transformation, CITAD has consistently invested in training them to use digital tools that enhance their access to information and hold public leaders accountable. In collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, CITAD launched Nigeria’s first dedicated PWDs Technology Training Hub, fully equipped with assistive technologies tailored for hearing and vision impairments, physical disabilities, and albinism. On October 25, this state-of-the-art facility celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students—70% of whom were women—a testament to CITAD’s commitment to inclusivity and gender balance.
Empowering PWDs with digital skills goes beyond mere employment; it is about igniting self-confidence and instilling a sense of agency. This conviction is what drives CITAD’s mission, as Ali Sabo, CITAD’s Campaigns and Communication Officer, eloquently states, “There is ability in every disability.” This belief is brought to life through CITAD’s media initiatives, which spotlight the challenges and achievements of PWDs, amplifying their voices and advocating for tangible government action.
The Power of Media: Amplifying Voices, Changing Perspectives
For years, CITAD has been a vocal advocate for disability rights on both traditional and digital platforms. In Kano State, CITAD sponsors radio programs such as “Voice of PWDs” on Arewa Radio and “Technology and PWDs” on CITAD’s Online Radio. These broadcasts have become essential channels for PWDs to share their stories, voice concerns, and highlight pressing issues affecting their daily lives. In addition to radio programs, CITAD last year organized a three-day creative writing workshop for PWDs, offering them new skills to express themselves and enabling them to share their stories with a wider audience. This initiative has empowered participants to become not just advocates for their own rights but storytellers capable of challenging societal perceptions of disability.
Creating Job Opportunities and Fostering Entrepreneurship
Beyond media and advocacy, CITAD is fostering economic inclusion through its Job Opportunity and Preparation for Inclusive Success (JOPIS) Unit, which offers training in job interview preparation, accessing employment opportunities, and now, through the PWDs Technology Training Hub, entrepreneurship in the digital sector. With plans to incubate PWD entrepreneurs, CITAD aims to promote self-reliance and reduce dependency by equipping participants with the skills needed to build their own ventures in a rapidly evolving economy.
Through these comprehensive efforts, CITAD is helping to reduce inequality, address the challenges of street begging, and create meaningful opportunities for PWDs. This is especially critical in Northern Nigeria, where traditional job structures are shifting, and digital skills are becoming increasingly essential.
Impact and Government Response
CITAD’s unyielding advocacy has driven significant policy changes in Kano State, where the government has taken several steps to address the needs of PWDs in response to CITAD’s programs. These include renovating the Tudun Maliki School for Special Needs, providing Braille and other learning materials for students with visual impairments, and approving the establishment of 44 Disability JAMB-CBT Centers across the state. Such changes represent a new dawn for PWDs in Kano, offering them greater accessibility to education and new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Moving Forward: Collective Action for an Inclusive Future
CITAD’s achievements are a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished through collaboration, vision, and unwavering dedication. Yet, achieving full inclusion requires a joint commitment from all levels of society—government, private sector, civil society, and local communities. By working together, we can create a society where barriers for people with disabilities are a thing of the past and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
As CITAD’s Campaigns and Communication Officer, Ali Sabo, rightly emphasizes, “There is ability in every disability.” CITAD’s work is a testament to this truth, creating pathways for PWDs to break free from societal constraints and realize their full potential. With each new program, CITAD is turning this vision into a reality, proving that an inclusive, barrier-free society is not just a possibility—it is within reach.
