The Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI) was officially launched and unveiled at an event hosted by the House Committee on Disability Matters, chaired by Hon. Bashir Dawodu, in Abuja.
In her welcome address, Mrs Angelina Ugben, Founder and President of GDGI, declared the initiative a transformative movement, stating that “persons with disabilities are not problems to solve but pioneers to empower.”
She noted that for too long, people with disabilities (PWDs) have faced twin challenges—environmental injustice (such as floods, droughts, and energy poverty) and social exclusion (being shut out of green jobs, climate policy decisions, and access to technology).
“But in just eight months, look how far we’ve come,” she said.
“We planted 50 trees of hope in Karon Majigi in partnership with JONAPWD (FCT Chapter), each named after heroes like you. We began training 25 PWDs in solar PV installation and entrepreneurship on June 20, in collaboration with ASTEVEN Energy Institute.
“We distributed 100 solar lamps to students in Bwari and Piwoyi with Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation, supported by Light Up Africa. We took our message to the UN, ECOWAS, and the National Assembly to demand a seat at the table for PWDs in climate action.”
Turning Disability into Innovation
Mrs Ugben outlined three core mandates of GDGI:
1. Train PWDs as solar entrepreneurs
2. Ensure every climate policy and green project is co-designed with PWDs
3. Transform disability into innovation
“A farmer in a wheelchair can teach us drought-resistant farming. A deaf engineer can redesign wind turbines. This is not charity—it’s justice in action,” she said.
She used the occasion to unveil a five-year blueprint and roadmap to train 10,000 green leaders with disabilities by 2030.
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Government Ministries Applaud the Initiative
A representative of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development described the launch as a laudable initiative and a proactive step toward addressing climate-related and social challenges.
Professor Magaji Garba, representing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, affirmed that GDGI would serve as a catalyst to empower PWDs.
“GDGI is committed to fostering inclusivity and sustainability by integrating disability-led climate action with a focus on green energy and sustainable agriculture.
“This ensures that PWDs are not left behind in the global transition to renewable energy and climate resilience,” he said.
He also assured the ministry’s continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of PWDs in Nigeria.
Stakeholder Reactions
Several stakeholders in attendance commended GDGI’s bold advocacy and inclusive approach, praising its emphasis on empowering PWDs as agents of change rather than passive beneficiaries.
The launch marks a pivotal step in Nigeria’s climate justice movement, with a clear declaration that “sustainability must include every body, every ability.”