In a major step toward promoting inclusive development, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and ENT specialists, has introduced a hearing support program aimed at empowering young Nigerians with hearing impairments.
This initiative, under the WOFAN-ICON2 project, seeks to identify and support 1,200 individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 by providing hearing aids, medical care, and counselling.
The goal is to improve their access to meaningful employment, especially in the agricultural sector.
At the launch event in Abuja, Dr. Salamatu Garba, Country Project Director of WOFAN-ICON2, emphasized the marginalization of people with hearing loss.
She pointed out that discussions around disability often overlook hearing impairments, leaving affected individuals to face communication challenges and social stigma on their own.
Dr. Garba explained that the initiative goes beyond simply providing hearing aids; it includes comprehensive medical evaluations conducted by ENT specialists to ensure appropriate care.
“Some individuals may only need basic treatments, such as wax removal, while others will benefit from hearing devices. A proper diagnosis is crucial before any intervention,” she stated.
WOFAN’s Business Development Manager, Mr. Taiwo Olawale, announced that the pilot phase will start with the assessment of 60 individuals in the North Central region.
The program will then expand to other areas, including the North-East and North-West, reaching states such as Adamawa, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Hajia Maryam Lawal, WOFAN’s Gender Specialist and FCT Lead, highlighted the importance of involving young people with hearing impairments in agricultural development, stressing that true disability inclusion is essential for reaching national food security targets.
She explained, “When deaf farmers are left out of training or safety instructions, their efficiency and capacity to support food production are affected. This is precisely why our focus includes this often-overlooked group.”
Dr. Bassey Adem, an ENT consultant at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, described hearing loss as a critical yet often overlooked public health concern that lacks adequate funding.
He praised the collaborative effort, pointing out that many individuals living with hearing impairments cannot afford hearing aids, which often cost several hundred thousand naira.
“This initiative goes beyond restoring hearing,it restores dignity and opens doors to new opportunities,” Dr. Adem remarked.
Offering further support, Professor Abdulazeez Ahmed of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, along with Dr. Manir Anka, commended the programme for bringing attention to what they described as a “silent disability.”
“Hearing loss is not always visible. Unless someone speaks, it may go unnoticed. That’s why raising public awareness and promoting education are crucial to ending stigma and encouraging inclusion,” said Prof. Ahmed.
He also urged other organisations to adopt WOFAN’s inclusive approach and called for greater collaboration in tackling disability-related issues across sectors.
“This responsibility doesn’t rest with the government alone,every segment of society has a part to play in supporting people with disabilities,” he emphasized.
