The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development with strong backing for the Girls Education Skills Partnership (GESP), describing it as a transformative initiative that equips girls and young women living with disabilities with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods.
The programme, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Sightsavers in collaboration with key partners under UNICEF’s coordination, is already making measurable impact across Nigeria.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by prospective donors, UNICEF’s Chief of Lagos Office and Lead of the Private Sector Partnerships Unit for Nigeria and Generation Unlimited Nigeria, Céline Lafourrière, praised the initiative as both practical and life-changing.
She highlighted the unique challenges faced by girls with disabilities—especially those with visual impairments—who often struggle with limited access to education and opportunities.
“Girls living with disabilities are particularly important. When sight impairment is combined with low literacy and numeracy, reaching them becomes extremely difficult,” Lafourrière said. “This programme is practical and focused—whether supporting women to trade in markets or helping young women transition into the private sector.”She commended Sightsavers for its expertise and consistency in delivering impactful interventions, particularly in empowering visually impaired young women.“Sightsavers has demonstrated deep knowledge in teaching and supporting young women with sight impairments, while also building strong partnerships,” she added.Lafourrière further emphasized the importance of collaboration among governments, development agencies, and private sector actors to ensure the programme’s sustainability and expansion.
Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Professor Joy Shu’aibu, described GESP as a targeted intervention designed to build confidence, expand opportunities, and promote independence among girls and young women with disabilities.According to her, the programme operates on three key pillars: mentoring and coaching, entrepreneurship development, and digital/employability skills training.
“We provide mentoring for adolescent girls to boost their confidence and help them envision a future full of possibilities,” Shu’aibu explained. “For young women, we focus on entrepreneurship—teaching business management, bookkeeping, and profitability so they can support themselves and their families.”
Participants are also trained in digital and workplace readiness skills through a computer-based platform powered by Accenture, covering areas such as CV writing, interview techniques, and job search strategies.
To ensure transparency and inclusivity, Sightsavers collaborates with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) for beneficiary selection. In Lagos, the programme partners with Project Enable, while in Kano it works with the Kanawa Foundation. It also engages State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) to identify eligible students in schools.
Beneficiaries of the programme expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that it has significantly improved their skills and confidence. However, some highlighted challenges such as low profit margins and difficulty in selling products, calling for additional support to strengthen their businesses.
Despite these hurdles, stakeholders agree that GESP represents a vital step toward ensuring that no girl is left behind—offering not just skills, but dignity, independence, and hope for a better future.