HBM Nigeria launches second Cohort skills training for 120 persons in Lagos

HBM Nigeria Plc, a leading provider of innovative building solutions and a manufacturer of cement, ready-mix, mortar and Plaster of Paris, has launched the 2026 edition of its Disability to Ability (D2A) programme.

This initiative aims to equip 120 persons with disabilities (PWDs) from Alimosho and Epe in Lagos State with practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills to foster economic independence and workforce participation.

The six-week programme, delivered in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), began with a joint orientation and launch on September 21. Participants will receive hands-on training in various skills, including makeup and gele tying, wig and braids making, phone and laptop repairs, and shoe and bag making.

Additionally, the programme includes sessions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital skills, business management, sustainable livelihoods, the circular economy, and green skills. Participants will complete practical projects and assessments, culminating in a graduation showcase of their work.

Viola Graham-Douglas, the Director of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at HBM Nigeria Plc, commented on the initiative, stating that the D2A programme embodies the company’s belief that disability should not hinder the pursuit of economic goals. She emphasised that skills development provides a genuine opportunity for individuals with disabilities to achieve sustainable livelihoods.

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“Our approach to inclusion focuses on cultivating an environment where potential is recognised and nurtured. Through the D2A program, we equip participants with the practical skills and comprehensive business knowledge necessary to develop their abilities, earn a living, and fully engage in society,” Graham-Douglas said.

The D2A program builds on HBM Nigeria’s prior efforts to promote inclusion and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities. In the 2025 edition, the company successfully trained 100 PWDs across Lagos in laptop and phone repairs, makeup and gele tying, wig and braiding, and shoe and bag production, in collaboration with LSETF, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and other key stakeholders.