Susan Abayomi
Stanbic IBTC Holdings has reaffirmed its commitment to disability inclusion through its Together4ALimb initiative, which has provided support to 250 children living with limb loss since its launch in 2015.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Chuma Nwokocha, said meaningful inclusion goes beyond access to financial services, stressing the importance of mobility, education, healthcare and social acceptance in creating equal opportunities.
Nwokocha explained that children living with limb loss often encounter challenges that affect their ability to participate fully in education and society, long before they become involved in the formal financial system.
According to him, inclusive development must address these fundamental barriers by ensuring that individuals have access to the resources and support needed to learn, move freely and live with dignity.
Through Together4ALimb, Stanbic IBTC’s flagship corporate social investment programme, the organisation continues to provide prosthetic support and educational assistance to children living with limb loss.
In 2026, the initiative welcomed 50 additional beneficiaries, bringing the total number of children supported since its establishment to 250. Each new beneficiary receives an education trust valued at ₦1.5 million, alongside continued prosthetic support to accommodate their growth.
Nwokocha noted that combining mobility assistance with educational support is essential because both interventions play complementary roles in helping children develop confidence, independence and the ability to pursue their ambitions.
He explained that providing a prosthetic limb alone may not address all the challenges a child faces, just as educational assistance may have limited impact if mobility difficulties prevent regular school attendance and participation.
The programme supports beneficiaries across different educational levels, including creche, nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
He further emphasised that disability inclusion should be viewed as a continuous responsibility because children’s needs change as they grow. Prosthetic devices require adjustments or replacement over time, while educational and social needs also evolve.
According to him, the success of inclusion programmes should not be determined solely by the number of prosthetic limbs provided or the financial resources committed. Other important indicators include school attendance, academic progression, access to rehabilitation, continuity of care and the overall wellbeing of beneficiaries.
Nwokocha maintained that dignity, education and equal opportunities are fundamental rights that should not depend on an individual’s physical condition or potential economic contribution.
He added that removing barriers to education and participation would strengthen Nigeria’s human capital and enable more people to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Stanbic IBTC chief also stressed that disability inclusion should extend beyond corporate philanthropy to cover healthcare, education, employment, infrastructure, technology and economic planning.
The 2026 edition of Together4ALimb, themed Be Un’limb’ited, reflects the organisation’s belief that limb loss should not restrict children’s aspirations or determine the limits of their future.
As part of its awareness efforts, the initiative organises an annual Together4ALimb Walk, bringing together beneficiaries, families, employees, partners and members of the public to promote understanding and support for children living with limb loss.
However, Nwokocha explained that the programme’s responsibilities extend beyond the annual awareness walk to include beneficiary selection, prosthetic fittings and replacements, administration of education trusts, monitoring of academic progress and continuous engagement with families.
He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve accessibility in schools and public facilities, strengthen rehabilitation services, expand educational support and address the stigma associated with disability.
He also highlighted the importance of accountability in ensuring that inclusion initiatives deliver measurable and lasting results.
According to him, stakeholders must be able to assess how beneficiaries are selected, how education funds are managed, what happens when children outgrow their prosthetic devices and whether they continue to make progress in their education.
He said Stanbic IBTC would continue improving its monitoring and evaluation processes by tracking beneficiaries’ educational development, ensuring continuity of prosthetic support and engaging families to identify areas requiring further intervention.
Nwokocha noted that the experience gained through Together4ALimb had reinforced the understanding that financial inclusion is only one aspect of a broader journey towards equal participation in society.
He concluded that Nigeria would make greater progress towards inclusive development when mobility, rehabilitation and education are recognised as essential requirements for participation rather than treated as secondary welfare concerns.
