A Few Words
About Us
The Special Needs Initiative for Growth (otherwise known as INGA) is a non-governmental organization in Nigeria aimed at creating awareness and providing capacity based training using technology for persons with disability (Down Syndrome, visual impairment, Autism and Cerebral Palsy) to ensure they are better placed to live a sustainable life and contribute to the society.
We leverage education technology, rehabilitative technologies, policy, advocacy, mentorship, capacity building, health support services, career development and entrepreneurship to promote and sustain the social and economic wellbeing and rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Our mission is providing total empowerment tools and resources that promote education, human rights, health approaches and career development channels for persons with disabilities in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Our vision is to be the leading disability service organization connecting persons with disabilities in appropriate socio-economic services.
Racheal Inegbedion,
Executive Director
A Few Words
About Us
The Special Needs Initiative for Growth (otherwise known as INGA) is a non-governmental organization in Nigeria aimed at creating awareness and providing capacity based training using technology for persons with disability (Down Syndrome, visual impairment, Autism and Cerebral Palsy) to ensure they are better placed to live a sustainable life and contribute to the society.
We leverage education technology, rehabilitative technologies, policy, advocacy, mentorship, capacity building, health support services, career development and entrepreneurship to promote and sustain the social and economic wellbeing and rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Our mission is providing total empowerment tools and resources that promote education, human rights, health approaches and career development channels for persons with disabilities in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Our vision is to be the leading disability service organization connecting persons with disabilities in appropriate socio-economic services.
Racheal Inegbedion,
Executive Director
Why we do what we do
Great minds are in bodies with different shapes and sizes
Our vision is to be the leading disability service organization connecting persons with disabilities in appropriate socio-economic services.
Values
Leverage education technology, rehabilitative technologies, policy, advocacy, mentorship, capacity building, health support services, career development and entrepreneurship
Our People
Our Focus Areas
The Board
Ezenwa Eleazar Okoro Chairman(Board of Trustees)
Ezenwa Okoro has over eight years of experience in the community and youth development sector. Currently, he is the President of Enugu Youth Entrepreneurship Network (E-YEN), where he focuses on designing, initiating and implementing youth entrepreneurship development activities. He is also the CEO of Oxygen Resources Industrial Ventures and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) Enugu State Chapter. He was appointed Consultant to the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Youth Development and Mobilization. Ezenwa is an alumni of the Galilee International Management Institute Israel (GIMI) and Entrepreneurship Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University (EDC-PAU).
Racheal Inegbedion Vice Chair (Board) and Founding Executive Director
Racheal Inegbedion is a passionate advocate for disability rights, a policy strategist, and development leader with over a decade of experience in advancing inclusion and equity. As the founding director of the Special Needs Initiative for Growth (SNIG), Racheal dedicates her efforts to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities, with an end goal in employment and environmental sustainability. Her work centers on breaking barriers and building pathways to inclusion for individuals with disabilities through demand driven ICT and Educational skills such as STEM and Robotics, employment programming and policies and environmental accessibility. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the University of St. Andrews, where her research explored the intersection of environmental justice and disability. Racheal Inegbedion also works at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) where she focuses on projects aimed at improving employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her role involves collecting and analyzing data, tracking how states fund IDD employment services, and helping create resources that influence policy at the federal and state levels. She also develops media that highlights successful employment stories, promoting inclusive job practices. Through her contributions, Racheal helps break down barriers, support policy reform, and encourage better employment outcomes for people with IDD across different communities in the United States.
Her impactful work has earned her international recognition. Racheal is an Ashoka Young Changemaker and an alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Her contributions to inclusive education and employment have been commended by the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Racheal also serves as the International Engagement Committee Chair on the board of the World Institute on Disability (WID), where she collaborates with global advocates to advance disability rights. Also, Racheal plays a pivotal role in environmental advocacy. She is a member of the Climate Adaptation Forum Steering Committee, contributing to critical discussions on climate resilience. This forum, a collaboration between the Environmental Business Council of New England and the Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston, focuses on addressing climate challenges and fostering sustainable solutions. Racheal’s mission is to shape global policies that ensure employment equity and strengthen environmental resilience for people with disabilities. She leverages technology, research, and advocacy to drive transformative change. Her work integrates disability inclusion and sustainability, aiming to build a fairer, more adaptable world.
Rose Ekaete Mordi Board Member
Rose Ekaete Mordi, a British trained business Administrator. Founder/ President, Down syndrome Foundation Nigeria an NGO that caters for children/adults with Down syndrome in Nigeria other West African countries.
The Association/Foundation was established primarily to care for children with Down syndrome in four core areas: Educational, Vocational, Medical and Social Integration. The Foundation has recorded great achievements under her leadership: sponsoring many children overseas for medical procedures; organized Seminars locally and internationally, participated in Special Olympics International games, Educational & vocational training for people with Down syndrome, awareness creation and advocacy. She co-initiated the Save-a-life project; The Save-a-life Project (SALP) is a charity ancillary to/associated with the Down syndrome Foundation.
A spokesperson and advocate for people with intellectual disability, Chairperson of Africa Down syndrome Network (ADSN) and a Trustee in various charities/clubs, Mrs. Mordi have received several awards (locally and internationally) in recognition of her contribution to the less privileged in the society. She is totally committed to changing the negative societal mindset in the African society towards people with disability and relentless in her effort to give the less privileged a chance to contribute effectively to, and be appreciated by the Society.
Omowonuola Akintunde Executive Secretary and Financial Director of the Board
Omowonuola Akintunde, ACA, is a seasoned finance professional with over 10 years of experience in financial audit, management, and consultancy. She currently serves as the Senior Accountant and Manager of the Finance and Accounts Department at Kachifo Limited, overseeing all fiscal reporting activities and leading the Audit/Finance Committee. Omowonuola began her career at SOLA OYETAYO & Co. Chartered Accountants (AGN International), advancing from Audit Associate to Senior Associate while guiding audit teams for clients across the private, public, and multilateral sectors. She has also occasionally consulted for Akinola Akintunde & Co., contributing to the audit of projects for organizations such as the African Development Bank/ Africa Water Facility Projects. A committed volunteer, Omowonuola serves on the board of the Special Needs Initiative for Growth (SING) and as its Finance Director, focusing on the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities. She holds a BSc in Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), a Master’s in Economics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Amdi Salam Creative and Communications Director
Amdi is a globally certified Senior Digital HR Professional, Agropreneur and Disability Advocate. He has worked across various sectors within Africa such as Media, Agriculture, Consulting, NGO and Oil and Gas/Energy sector. He has used his experience as a HR professional to advocate for Inclusive Hiring practices. He is also the Co-Founder and Creative Director for Special Needs Initiative for Growth Africa (formerly Initiative for National Growth Africa) a non governmental body that advocates for the rights and inclusion of young adults with disabilities through developmental trainings in creative arts and tech driven solutions to prepare them for the workforce. SNIGA has developed a Disability Employment manual for recruiters and trains organizations on how to prepare the workplace for inclusive hiring. Amdi and his team have been involved in ratification of the Africa Disability Protocol and partnered with different developmental organizations to upskill persons living with Down Syndrome, Autism, Visual impairment and Cerebral Palsy.
EXECUTIVE STAFF OF SPECIAL NEEDS INITIATIVE FOR GROWTH
Head, Administration & Projects
Special Educator & Support Staff
Strategy Officer
Digital Specialist Staff for PWDS
Programs Specialist
Special Needs Educator
Stem Educator & Coach
Fundraising And Proposal Specialist
Great Partners
Our Partners stand behind us to achieve our vision
Safety Assured
We ensure that the environment is safe, secured and enabling for persons with disabilities
Experience
We have built our capacity over the years to ensure that we deliver value driven solutions to the disability community
Activities
We constantly plan engaging activities and programmes for the disability community, their caregivers and their educators
Great Staff
Great Volunteers
Our Staff and volunteers love what they do, and that's what makes them so special.
Currently, Initiative for National Growth Africa has 21 Volunteers with various professional backgrounds , skills and experiences in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States.
Why not Partner with us today
With Special Needs Initiative for Growth, you are just one step away from impacting a life