Care Nigeria

What Care Nigeria does

CARE Nigeria (Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment in Nigeria) is a nonprofit disability advocacy organization founded in 2014 by Dr. Chike Okogwu and headquartered in Abuja. It serves persons with disabilities across Nigeria, with a flagship Accessible Aviation project that deploys disability desk officers, assistive equipment (stair climber wheelchairs, Ambi Scissor Elevator), and sign language interpreters at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, while advocating for airline and regulatory policy reform. Beyond aviation, CARE runs political inclusion advocacy (the NOPP Project with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy), a weekly advocacy TV show (The Specials), and a 100 million Naira fundraising campaign to empower 1,000 PWDs.

The organization's business model is grant-funded rather than revenue-generating. CARE is a 2021 grantee of the VOICE Nigeria programme (Oxfam/Hivos consortium funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs), receiving approximately €150,000 for the Accessible Aviation project. Secondary income comes from individual donations processed via Paystack. CARE does not charge fees for its services; it operates a community-led go-to-market through direct service provision at airports, policy advocacy visits to government bodies (NCAA, FAAN, NCPWD, NHRC, INEC), and partnerships with disability rights organizations.

CARE's core technology footprint is essentially nil — it operates as a human-delivered advocacy and service NGO with no proprietary software, APIs, or AI capabilities. Its competitive position rests on founder credibility, regulatory wins (notably the NCAA directive ending mandatory extra-ticket purchases for PWDs), and a dense partnership ecosystem spanning Nigerian government, EU-funded electoral support bodies (ECES), international donors, and media partners (Daar/AIT, NTA). With 17 staff and a single anchor funder, the organization faces material concentration risk on the revenue side even as it pursues national scale across all 47 Nigerian airports.

Name

Care Nigeria

Legal name

Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment in Nigeria (CARE)

Website

https://carenigeria.org.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CARE Nigeria is an Abuja-based nonprofit disability advocacy organization that runs the Accessible Aviation project at Nigerian airports and political inclusion programs for persons with disabilities across Nigeria, funded primarily by international grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Human Rights, Social Inclusion & Disability Inclusion (BPAGABAN)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy
• Accessible aviation
• Disability rights
• Political inclusion
• Assistive equipment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: CARE Nigeria operates primarily through grant funding from international development organizations. The main funding has come from VOICE/OXFAM through the VOICE In Nigeria project, with grants ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 Euros.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations through Paystack payment platform to support ongoing programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Care Nigeria (Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment in Nigeria) is a nonprofit disability advocacy organization that runs programs aimed at removing barriers for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Its flagship offering, the Accessible Aviation Project, deploys disability desk officers and assistive equipment (stair climber wheelchairs, Ambi Scissor Elevators) at airports and drives airline policy changes. Additional programs include political inclusion advocacy (NOPP Project, PWD in Politics), an advocacy TV show (The Specials), and partnerships with government agencies to enforce the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

Product overview

Care Nigeria (Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment in Nigeria) is a disability advocacy organization offering multiple interconnected programs rather than a traditional technology product. Its core offerings include the Accessible Aviation Project (providing assistive devices, disability desk services, and advocacy for policy changes in air travel), The Specials TV Show (an advocacy media program), and the Nigerian Open Political Party (NOPP) Project for political inclusion. The organization operates primarily as an advocacy and empowerment nonprofit focused on removing barriers for persons with disabilities in Nigeria, rather than as a technology or SaaS company with traditional product lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Accessible Aviation: A flagship project aimed at removing all barriers to accessible air transportation for persons with disabilities in Nigeria, including advocacy for policy changes and deployment of assistive devices at airports.
• The Specials TV Show

Products and services

• Accessible Aviation Project A disability advocacy program aimed at removing barriers to accessible air transportation for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Includes disability desk officers, assistive devices (stair climber wheelchairs, Ambi Scissors Elevator), sign language interpreters, and advocacy for airline policy changes.
• The Specials TV Show A 30-minute weekly advocacy TV documentary produced in partnership with Innovative Ideas Ltd to highlight disability issues, celebrate PWD abilities, and advocate for disability rights through edutainment.
• Nigerian Open Political Party (NOPP) Project A project aimed at reshaping Nigeria's political landscape to be more inclusive for PWDs, producing research reports including accessibility audits of political party offices, PAGE analysis of the Disability Act, and minimum standards for PWD political participation.
• Disability Desk Officers Service Partnership with FAAN to create disability desk officers at Abuja Airport to aid traveling persons with disabilities, providing assistance from arrival to aircraft boarding.
• PWD in Politics Advocacy Advocacy initiatives to increase PWD participation in politics, including visits to INEC, European Centre for Electoral Support, and calls for political party inclusion.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCAA directive issued requiring all airlines to stop mandating PWDs to travel with aides and to add special assistance options on booking portals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered primary and secondary.

• Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)primaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025WFD partnered with CARE Nigeria to unveil three groundbreaking reports on PWD exclusion from politics, including Accessibility Audit of Political Party Offices, PAGE Analysis of Disability Act, and Minimum Standards for PWD Participation in Politics. This partnership under the NOPP (Nigerian Open Political Party) Project aims to reshape Nigeria's political landscape for PWD inclusion.
• National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)primaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCPWD is the government body responsible for PWD affairs in Nigeria. CARE partners with NCPWD on the Accessible Aviation project, with the Commission providing commitment to scale the project to all 47 airports, deploy staff including sign language interpreters, and procure motorized equipment. NCPWD Executive Secretary James David Lalu has publicly praised CARE's work.
• Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)primaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAAN partnered with CARE to create Disability Desk Officers at Abuja Airport to aid traveling persons with disabilities. FAAN has provided office space for CARE representatives and issued On Duty Cards enabling them to operate within the airport. FAAN has also created disability desks at airports across Nigeria.
• Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)primaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCAA is the regulatory body for Nigeria's aviation industry. Following CARE's advocacy, NCAA issued a directive requiring all airlines to stop mandating PWDs to purchase extra tickets and to add special assistance options on booking portals. NCAA DG Captain Musa Nuhu committed to policy changes backed by the Disability Act.
• European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerECES, operating under EU Support For Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN), hosted CARE's PWD in Politics Advocacy Team. ECES expressed interest in supporting PWD transportation to INEC offices, training INEC PWD adhoc staff, and advocating for accessible voting and party politics inclusion starting from local government level.
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARE's Accessible Aviation Team visited NHRC to advocate for policy changes regarding airlines requiring extra tickets for PWD aides. NHRC expressed willingness to partner through advocacy, trainings, and policy change initiatives supporting Accessible Aviation.
• Daar Communication PLCsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerDaar Communication PLC (owners of AIT) partnered with CARE to create awareness about accessible aviation for PWDs. The media group committed to developing jingles and providing coverage for CARE's advocacy activities, noting their existing program 'Will and Zeal' presented by a person with disability.
• NTA Channel 5 AbujasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerNigerian Television Authority Channel 5 Abuja pledged to join CARE's advocacy to ensure accessible aviation for PWDs. General Manager Paul Atte committed to developing programs to enlighten the public on CARE's work and offered to train staff on proper terminology for referring to persons with disabilities.
• National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities FCT (NAPWPD FCT)primaryOthersNAPWPD FCT is one of the rightholder organizations representing persons with physical disabilities. CARE visited NAPWPD FCT to inform the association about accessibility facilities at Abuja Airport and seek their support in informing members. The association's Chairman Comrade Agbo Christian Obiora testified to improved air travel experiences since CARE's interventions.
• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARE visited INEC to advocate for early voting, transportation logistics for PWDs during voter registration and elections, strengthened security, and collaboration on getting political parties to open space for PWDs. CARE proposed organizing transportation logistics for PWDs during CVR and election day.
• Innovative Ideas Development Services LtdprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative Ideas Development Services Ltd is described as CARE's sister organization, collaborating with CARE to produce results. The company, founded by Dr. Chike Okogwu in 1998, has over two decades of experience in television production and produces 'The Specials' TV show in partnership with CARE.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Amnesty International Nigeria: Nigerian branch of a global human rights organization engaging on rights-based advocacy, including disability rights. Comparable as a peer advocacy organization using policy engagement, media campaigns, and partnerships with government bodies in Nigeria.

Broad incumbents

• Sightsavers: Large international disability inclusion organization with extensive Nigeria and West Africa programming on visual impairment and broader disability rights. Comparable as a multi-country disability advocacy and service-delivery nonprofit operating in CARE's same geographies.
• Humanity & Inclusion (formerly Handicap International): International disability and inclusion NGO operating in low- and middle-income countries including West Africa. Comparable as a peer advocating for disability rights, accessibility, and inclusive services for persons with disabilities.
• CBM (Christian Blind Mission): Global disability-inclusive development organization working across Africa on disability rights, inclusive health, and education. Comparable as a larger, well-funded disability advocacy and services nonprofit with strong Africa presence.
• Leonard Cheshire Disability: Global disability nonprofit supporting PWD inclusion across education, employment, and accessibility. Comparable as a peer organization working at the intersection of disability services, advocacy, and policy change.
• Inclusion International: Global federation advocating for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Comparable as a peer disability rights advocacy organization with policy-influence orientation similar to CARE's approach.

Emerging players

• Disability Rights Fund: Grantmaking body supporting disability rights advocacy and movement-building in developing countries, including Nigeria. Comparable as a peer funder/advocate operating in the same disability rights ecosystem and supporting similar grantees.
• LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Disability services and advocacy organization providing direct assistive services and rights-based advocacy. Comparable as a peer blending assistive service delivery with broader disability rights advocacy, though operating in a different geography.

Direct peers

• Inclusion Africa: Pan-African disability advocacy network advancing the rights of persons with disabilities across the continent. Comparable as a regional disability rights and inclusion advocacy peer operating in overlapping African geographies.
• Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD): Nigerian disability rights advocacy NGO pushing for implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. Operates in the same Nigerian advocacy ecosystem with overlapping government and donor relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carengonline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Care Nigeria