Introduction
In line with our long-standing commitment to inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the ENGAUSA Skills Development Foundation joined national and international stakeholders to celebrate the 2025 International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
This year’s celebration carried a special significance as our foundation expanded its collaboration beyond sponsorships to include strategic participation in disability advocacy, institutional partnerships, and community engagement.
The event, held on 6th December 2025 at El-Farhan Event Center, Nasarawa, Kano, brought together experts, disability-rights advocates, institutions, civil society groups, and corporate organizations—all united by a shared commitment to building a disability-inclusive society that leaves no one behind.
Our Partners for the 2025 IDPD Event
ENGAUSA Skills Development Foundation partnered with a strong network of organizations dedicated to disability empowerment and socio-economic inclusion:
– Nurture Special Education Needs Foundation
– Child Development Center (Bunny Hugs Therapy)
– Skill Acquisition Institute for People with Disabilities / Fundación Marcelino Muñoz
– Save the Children
– Fidelity Bank
This collaboration reflects our belief that inclusion is a shared responsibility, requiring concerted efforts from government agencies, private institutions, NGOs, development partners, and community organizations.
ENGAUSA’s Contribution on the Panel Discussion
ENGAUSA Global Tech Hub Founder and ENGAUSA Skills Development Foundation Lead, Engr. Mustapha Habu Ringim, participated as a panel discussant in a high-level session titled:
“Strengthening Disability Advocacy: Role of Government, Institutions, and Community Advancing Social Inclusion.”
The panel featured distinguished experts:
- Prof. Rufa’i Ahmad — Registrar/CEO, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Regulation) Board – MRTB
- Abdurrahman Uba Daushe — Chairman, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN)
- Babatunde Daniel
- Barr. Zahraddeen
Moderated by Dr. Sameerah Ali, Vice Chairman, Child Development Center (Bunny Hugs Therapy).
Key Messages from ENGAUSA’s Participation
During the panel session, the Founder of ENGAUSA Foundation emphasized that “a society is only as strong as its ability to include people with both physical and invisible disabilities in its educational system.”
It was also stressed that disabilities are not inabilities—they represent special abilities or alternative abilities that flourish when systems are inclusive and responsive.
Against this powerful backdrop, ENGAUSA highlighted two critical pillars that must underpin disability-inclusive education and skills development:
- Mother-Tongue Education as a Gateway to Inclusion
ENGAUSA underscored the pivotal role of mother-tongue instruction in achieving genuine educational inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). When training is delivered in the learner’s natural language, comprehension deepens, confidence grows, and participation increases.
Breaking the language barrier in TVET broadens access not only for PWDs but also for Almajiris, school drop-outs, unemployed graduates, and underemployed youth—groups often marginalized by English-only systems.
A bilingual, learner-centered approach ensures every individual can learn, contribute, and succeed.
- AI-Powered Assistive Technologies for Inclusive and Sustainable Education
ENGAUSA also highlighted the transformative value of AI-powered assistive technologies, including Text-to-Speech (TTS), Speech-to-Text (STT), real-time captioning tools, and digital communication aids.
These tools are essential for supporting learners with hearing impairments, speech difficulties, autism, learning disabilities, and other developmental needs.
Integrating such technologies into education and TVET directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring full participation and equitable access to information.
AI-based assistive technologies do not replace human support—they enhance it, enabling PWDs to thrive academically, socially, and economically.
ENGAUSA’s Expanded Commitment to Disability Inclusion
Over the years, ENGAUSA Skills Development Foundation and ENGAUSA Global Tech Hub have:
– Sponsored persons with disabilities (PWDs) in multiple TVET programs
– Partnered with government bodies and development agencies—including IDEAS, 3MTT, and SUPA—to promote inclusive skills development
– Advocated for mother-tongue bilingual TVET models to bridge linguistic and cognitive barriers
– Supported families, community groups, and philanthropic foundations such as Yahaya Kwande Foundation and Mai Dala’ilu Foundation in delivering life-changing interventions
Our participation in this year’s IDPD underscores ENGAUSA’s commitment not only to practical skills development but also to shaping the national agenda on inclusive education, advocacy, and public awareness.
A Call for Sustained Collaboration
The 2025 IDPD celebration demonstrated the remarkable impact of coordinated partnerships. ENGAUSA extends heartfelt appreciation to all collaborating organizations and reaffirms our dedication to building an inclusive, equitable, and accessible TVET ecosystem for every learner.
We will continue to train, empower, advocate, and innovate—ensuring that no individual is left behind in the journey toward independence and meaningful participation in society.
Conclusion
Disability inclusion is a continuous responsibility—one requiring intentional action, strategic investment, and a compassionate commitment to equity. As we reflect on the 2025 celebration, ENGAUSA stands firm in its mission to promote accessibility, break educational barriers, and champion inclusive TVET that gives every person, regardless of ability, the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we can build a society where ability—not limitation—defines potential.
For more information:
Website: www.EngausaHub.com.ng
Foundation: foundation.engausahub.com.ng
Phone (WhatsApp & Telegram): 07038224643
Email: [email protected]
