MTN Foundation, CleanAce Launch Inclusive Fabricare Skills Programme in Lagos
- Mafik Olamide
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
MTN Foundation, CleanAce Foundation & Academy Launch Inclusive Fabricare Skills Programme for Hearing-Impaired Nigerians
CleanAce Foundation & Academy, in partnership with the MTN Foundation, has officially launched the Inclusive Fabricare Skills Empowerment Programme, an initiative that will provide professional fabric care training and employment opportunities for 30 hearing-impaired Nigerians.
The programme was unveiled during a press briefing attended by representatives from government agencies, disability advocacy groups, industry associations, and the private sector, all united by a shared commitment to promoting inclusion through skills development.
Speaking at the event, Eniibukun Adebayo, Founder of CleanAce Group, said the initiative was designed to address two pressing challenges: the unemployment faced by many Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the growing demand for skilled professionals in Nigeria's fabric care industry.
According to him, the programme is about creating opportunities that empower participants to become economically independent through practical, industry-relevant skills.
Representing the MTN Foundation, Edward Fagbohun, Senior Manager, Programme Implementation, reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to empowering Persons with Disabilities through sustainable initiatives that promote education, skills acquisition, and economic inclusion.
Also speaking at the briefing, Dr. (Mrs.) Adekola Funmilayo, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Elderly Care at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), commended the partnership and described it as a practical example of how collaboration can expand opportunities for persons living with disabilities.
The event also featured remarks from Mrs. Omolade Sonubi, HR Director, LASODA, who reiterated the agency's commitment to supporting programmes that encourage equal access to employment and vocational training for Persons with Disabilities.
Representing the disability community, Funmilola Ogunro, Founder of Friends of the Deaf International Foundation (FDF), applauded the initiative for focusing on empowerment rather than charity, noting that access to practical skills remains one of the strongest pathways to independence for the deaf community.
The importance of effective communication and accessibility throughout the programme was highlighted by Olubowale Sodeinde, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), alongside
Omimakinde Tobi, Vice Chairman of ASLIN Lagos, who both pledged the association's continued support in ensuring participants receive quality sign language interpretation throughout the training.
Providing an overview of the training structure, Fasomo Cornelius, Academy Coordinator at CleanAce Foundation & Academy, explained that participants will undergo intensive classroom and practical sessions covering professional laundry and dry-cleaning operations, garment finishing, quality control, entrepreneurship, workplace readiness, and internship placements before receiving industry-recognised certification.
The event was also attended by Viavonu Folorunsho of LASODA and Olamide Mafik, Head of Media & Marketing Manager of CleanAce Group, alongside other stakeholders and members of the media.
The six-month programme forms part of CleanAce Foundation & Academy's broader vision to build Africa's leading inclusive fabricare training ecosystem while creating sustainable employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
Through strategic collaboration with the MTN Foundation, LASODA, Friends of the Deaf International Foundation (FDF), the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), and other industry stakeholders, the initiative seeks to demonstrate that disability is never a barrier to excellence when individuals are given access to quality training and equal opportunities.
Applications for the first cohort commenced on June 24th, 2026, with successful participants receiving professional training, certification, industry exposure, and pathways to employment within Nigeria's growing fabric care sector.
To register - click here
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