PR OVIDES MOBILIT Y AIDS, ADVOCAC Y AND

S U P P ORT S E R V I C E S T O I M P R O V E T H E L I V E S O F
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

MAARDEC - GSBI™ Class of 2010

Headquarters: Lagos, Nigeria Problem Statement:

Established: 1991 Nigerian society is largely inaccessible to persons with disabili-
ties. Streets, public buildings and public transportation systems
Impact Areas: Nigeria lack accessibility facilities. In addition to this, affordable and sus-
Type: Non-Profit/NGO tainable mobility aids are rare. Government rehabilitation centers
are limited in number and their training programs provide little
Sectors: Economic Development, access to job opportunities. Hence, people with disabilities suffer
Equality and Social Justice from social and economic exclusion.
Staff Size: 22 and 4 volunteers
Annual Budget: $1,191,911
Major Funders: Cosokoli Ventures
Nig. Ltd, MTN Foundation Nigeria,
Cross Rivers State Government
Awards: Most Outstanding Social
Entrepreneur from Schwab Founda-
tion 2006, Federal Republic of Nigeria
National Honours 2006, International
Olympic Committee Award 2000,
Ashoka Innovators for the Public
Fellowship 1991

Theory of Change:
MAARDEC equips persons with disabil-
ities with mobility aids and creates an
enabling environment that helps them
develop their potential to become
more economically viable, thus ending
their dependency on others and social
exclusion.
Solution:
MAARDEC manufactures and provides affordable mobility aids,
advocacy and support services to disabled Nigerians to improve
their mobility, self-esteem and productivity so that they can
become self- reliant. With a highly dedicated staff made up of
predominantly persons with disabilities, we provide the best
products and services and are the pioneer and an undisputable
leader in the industry. Our holistic approach includes provision of
mobility aids, advocacy, awareness creation, counseling, mentor-
ing, skills training, and job placement services.

“For 20 years, MAARDEC has substantially improved the standard of living of over 1.7 million
Nigerians with disabilities spending less than 5% of what the government would have spent to
achieve the same goal” - Cosmas I. B. Okoli, President/CEO

| www.maardec.net | maardec@yahoo.com | 234-803-414-0414 |

  

PR OVIDES MOBILIT Y AIDS, ADVOCAC Y AND

S U P P ORT S E R V I C E S T O I M P R O V E T H E L I V E S O F
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Milestones Achieved: Impact to Date:

1998: Effected national sports policy • Impacted over 1.7 million disabled persons through provi-
that has given jobs to over four hun- sion of mobility aids, advocacy and awareness campaigns
dred persons with disabilities • A partner in making Adekunle Ajasin University the first to
be fully accessible to the disabled in Nigeria
2006: Secured donation of 1,000 • Provided 100,000 mobility aids to persons with disabilities
wheelchairs to disabled in Nigeria • Created over 1,500 jobs for persons with disabilities through
from Latter Day Saints Charities USA advocacy and policy change
2009 - 2010: Successfully supplied
mobility aids and appliances worth Annual Budget vs. Outcomes:
over $1.5M for MTN Foundation Dis-
ability support project
2010: Instrumental in initiating the
first legislation to protect the rights of
Nigerians with disabilities

Growth Plan:
2011: Establish and equip 1 Satellite
stations and 1 mobile service units
2012: Establish and equip 2 additional
Cost per Successful Outcome:
Satellite stations and 4 mobile service
$149
units
2013: Establish and equip 6 additional
Satellite stations and 10 mobile ser-
vice units

“The leg braces, crutches, wheel-

chair and hand controls I bought
from MAARDEC have made me
self reliant. Now, I can do things
without relying on anybody.” - Investment Required:
Sunbo Ogunshe, a beneficiary of Sponsorships and donations of $3.8 million and donations of $1
MAARDEC million over three years.

This profile was developed during the 2010 Global Social Benefit Incubator™, the signature program of
Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology and Society.
Updated 8/26/2010. www.scu.edu/sts/gsbi

| www.maardec.net | maardec@yahoo.com | 234-803-414-0414 |