IFFPAN PARTNERS WITH FCT UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD TO EXPAND HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEAF STUDENTS
Breaking Barriers to Higher Education for Persons with Disabilities
The International Ford Foundation Alumni Association of Nigeria (IFFPAN) led by Mr Obed Danlami has entered into a strategic partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) to support students at the FCT School for the Deaf through the IFFPAN Legacy Project, an innovative scholarship and mentorship initiative aimed at addressing the systemic and structural barriers that limit access to higher education for persons with disabilities.
The collaboration follows the formal approval granted by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board for IFFPAN to work directly with the FCT School for the Deaf in Abuja. The partnership seeks to create sustainable pathways that enable talented but economically disadvantaged deaf students to progress from secondary education into universities and other higher education institutions.
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Addressing Structural Inequalities in Education
Despite growing awareness of disability rights, many deaf learners in Nigeria continue to face significant barriers to educational advancement. Poverty, limited access to assistive technologies, inadequate support systems, social exclusion, and financial constraints often prevent qualified students from pursuing tertiary education.
Recognising these challenges, IFFPAN established the Legacy Project to provide:
- Scholarships for indigent deaf students.
- Mentorship and leadership development.
- Academic and career guidance.
- Support for university admissions and transitions.
- Advocacy for disability-inclusive higher education.
- Partnerships with universities committed to accessibility and inclusion.
From School to University: A Long-Term Support Model
Unlike many scholarship schemes that focus solely on tuition support, the IFFPAN Legacy Project adopts a long-term approach designed to accompany students through critical educational transitions.
The initiative identifies promising students from the FCT School for the Deaf and provides structured support to enable them to complete secondary education and successfully transition into higher education. The programme seeks to increase representation of persons with disabilities across all academic disciplines, including STEM, health sciences, social sciences, education, business, and technology.
First Cohort Successfully Admitted
A major milestone has already been achieved through the admission of the first cohort of IFFPAN Legacy Scholars, demonstrating that the programme has moved beyond planning into implementation and impact.
These pioneering students represent the beginning of a long-term effort to ensure that disability is not a barrier to academic achievement and professional success. Their admission into higher education institutions reflects the transformative potential of targeted support, mentorship, and inclusive partnerships.
Preparing for the Next Cohort
Building on the success of the first cohort, IFFPAN is now preparing to recruit and support its second cohort of beneficiaries.
The association is actively mobilising resources, strengthening partnerships, and engaging supporters who share the vision of expanding educational opportunities for deaf learners and other persons with disabilities. As the programme grows, IFFPAN aims to increase the number of students supported annually while developing a scalable model that can be replicated across Nigeria.
A Partnership for Sustainable Inclusion
The partnership with FCT-UBEB represents an important institutional milestone and demonstrates the value of collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations, educational institutions, alumni networks, and development partners.
IFFPAN believes that meaningful inclusion requires more than policy commitments; it requires practical interventions that remove barriers and create opportunities for those who have historically been excluded.
Advancing IFFPAN’s Mission
As an association of Ford Foundation alumni committed to education, social justice, leadership development, and inclusion, IFFPAN continues to invest in initiatives that create opportunities for underserved populations.
The Legacy Project reflects the association’s belief that every young person, regardless of disability or socioeconomic background, deserves the opportunity to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Looking Ahead
IFFPAN extends its appreciation to the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board, the management and staff of the FCT School for the Deaf, alumni volunteers, disability advocates, donors, and partners whose support has made this initiative possible.
Today, IFFPAN is supporting its first cohort of deaf scholars. Tomorrow, it hopes to support many more.
Our vision is to build a sustainable pipeline that enables talented students with disabilities to progress from school to university, from university to careers, and from careers to leadership breaking cycles of exclusion and creating opportunities for generations to come.