HBM Nigeria Plc, a provider of innovative building solutions and manufacturer of cement, ready-mix, mortar, and Plaster of Paris brands, has commenced the 2026 edition of its Disability to Ability (D2A) programme. This edition aims to provide 120 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) from Alimosho and Epe in Lagos State with practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills to support economic independence and workforce participation.
The six-week programme, delivered in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), kicked off with a joint orientation and launch on Monday, September 21, 2026. Participants will receive practical training in make-up and Gele, 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, circular economy and green skills. Participants will complete practical projects and assessments, culminating in a graduation showcase of their work.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, HBM Nigeria Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, noted that the D2A programme reflects the company’s belief that disability should not limit or impede the achievement of economic goals.
She noted that skills development creates a real opportunity to equip people living with disabilities to pursue sustainable livelihoods.
“Our approach to inclusion centres on fostering an environment in which potential is recognised and developed. Through D2A, we equip participants with the practical skills and broader business knowledge needed to develop their abilities, earn a living, and participate fully in society,” Graham-Douglas said.
The D2A programme builds on HBM Nigeria’s previous efforts aimed at promoting inclusion and economic empowerment among persons with disabilities. In the 2025 edition, the company successfully trained 100 PWDs across Lagos in laptop and phone repairs, make-up and gele, wig and braids making, and shoe and bag production, in partnership with LSETF, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and other key stakeholders.
HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly known as Lafarge Africa Plc, is a leading Nigerian building solutions company and a member of the Huaxin Building Materials Group, a globally recognised manufacturer of construction materials founded in 1907 and headquartered in Wuhan, China. Listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), HBM Nigeria Plc is actively contributing to Nigeria’s urbanisation and economic growth, the largest economy in Africa.
HBM Nigeria Plc has the widest footprint in Nigeria, with cement manufacturing operations in the South West (Ewekoro and Sagamu in Ogun State) and the North-east (Ashaka in Gombe State), and in the South-east (Mfamosing, Cross River State), with Ready-Mix operations in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. HBM Nigeria Plc has a current installed cement production capacity of 10.5 Mtpa.
HBM Nigeria Plc leverages its innovative expertise to provide value-added products and services solutions in the building and construction industry in Nigeria. HBM Nigeria Plc is renowned for producing a wide range of cement solutions designed to meet all building and construction needs, from small projects such as individual homes to major construction projects. Additional information is available on the website at www.hbmngplc.com