With support from the MasterCard Foundation, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has launched a targeted initiative in partnership with ENT specialists to support young Nigerians living with hearing impairment.
The programme, which forms part of the WOFAN-ICON2 project, seeks to identify and equip 1,200 individuals between 18 and 35 with the necessary medical assistance, particularly hearing aids and counselling, to enhance their access to dignified work, especially in agriculture.
Speaking at the flag-off event in Abuja, Dr. Salamatu Garba, WOFAN’s ICON2 Country Project Director, emphasised the often-overlooked plight of deaf people.
“When we talk about disability, the focus is usually on physical mobility, but people with hearing challenges face immense stigma and frustration in communication,” she said.
Dr. Garba explained that the initiative goes beyond the mere distribution of hearing aids; it includes medical screening by expert consultants to determine eligibility and appropriate interventions.
“We are partnering with ENT specialists from reputable institutions to conduct these screenings. Some people might only require minor procedures like wax removal or cleaning, while others may need hearing aids. This is why medical verification is essential before any support is administered,” Dr. Garba noted.
In his remarks, the Business Development Manager, Mr Taiwo Olawale, said the initial screening of 60 individuals in the North Central region will serve as a pilot, after which the programme will extend to the North-East and North-West zones, including states like Adamawa, FCT and Kano.
Highlighting the project’s focus on young, productive individuals, the gender specialist and FCT Lead, Hajia Maryam Lawal, stressed the link between hearing impairment and food security, stating that the project is focusing on people within the 18 to 35-year age bracket, especially those in agriculture.
“Imagine how much the deaf farmer ignores them. How do they interact with training, safety instructions, or market information? This affects productivity and national food security,” she added.
Supporting the initiative, Dr. Bassey Adem, an ENT consultant from the university teaching hospital Calabar, described hearing loss as a serious public health concern often underfunded.
He lauded the collaboration between WOFAN and the Mastercard Foundation, saying, “Most people affected come from low-income backgrounds and can not afford hearing aids that cost hundreds of thousands of naira to acquire just one hearing aid. This programme will go a long way in restoring dignity and function to many lives.”
Professor Abdulazeez Ahmed, an ENT consultant at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and Dr Manir Anka both commended the project and stressed the need for greater public awareness.
Discussing further, Prof. Azeez indicated that “Hearing impairment is a hidden disability. If I don’t speak, you might not know I am deaf. That’s why advocacy and education are key to removing the stigma and fostering integration,” he explained.
He encouraged other NGOs to emulate WOFAN’s commitment to inclusivity.
Professor Ahmed further stressed the importance of multi-sector collaboration in tackling disability-related challenges.
“This is not the government’s responsibility alone. Well-meaning Nigerians and organisations need to come together to uplift those living with disabilities,” he said, urging for national attention to hearing impairment as a critical but often ignored issue.
As the programme progresses, WOFAN and the Mastercard Foundation hope to build a model for disability inclusion that combines medical intervention, awareness creation, and economic empowerment.
With plans to expand across the nine targeted states of the WOFAN-ICON2 project, the initiative represents a crucial step toward ensuring no one is left behind in pursuing sustainable pathways to dignified and fulfilling job opportunities.
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