Toheeb Babalola
There was a relief on the Campus of Osun State University months after accessible ramps were constructed by a mobility-impaired entrepreneur, Yusuff Olatunji to aid students and staff with disabilities navigate high storey-buildings and lecture rooms effortlessly. Unlike other people, 29 million of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have been robbed of opportunities due to the difficulty to access public infrastructure.
Nigeria ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007 and passed the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2018, aiming to protect the rights of PwDs. However, many of them are still confronting restrictions and harassment from the banks and other private organizations across the country.
Yusuf Olátúnjí’s journey in establishing Yutex Global Concept Limited, an organization dedicated to constructing free accessible ramps, doors, and toilets for organizations, was driven by his passion to solve problems and his personal experiences as a child with a disability.
Yutex Global products
Yusuff entered the world like every other child, free from any impairments. However, at the tender age of 3 to 4, he fell ill unexpectedly, prompting frantic visits to various hospitals in search of medical aid. Despite efforts, the diagnosis was Polio, and while his parents sought spiritual remedies, his legs succumbed to paralysis. He became the first among his siblings to grapple with disability.
After enduring five years without finding a remedy for his paralysis, Yusuff began his basic education at the age of 9. This delayed start had significant repercussions on his childhood, as many of his peers were already in primary four by then. Getting to school on time posed a considerable challenge; at times, his mother had to carry him on her back to ensure punctuality and avoid lateness.
Throughout his primary school, he performed excellently and earned a placement at the Muslim Grammar School in Iseyin/Itẹsiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State. While in Secondary School, his father who was a businessman enrolled him at a nearby shoemaking workshop after school hours, where he first learned the art of entrepreneurship.
Yusuff was elated to receive admission to study Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan, marking a significant milestone in his educational journey despite his mobility challenges. However, unlike secondary school, the university’s building structures were multi-floored with staircases, presenting a barrier that restricted his ability to attend lectures with his wheelchair.
“I realized that sometimes my lecture rooms will be on the second floor, and my course mates will have to carry me from one class to another.The institution did not consider accessibility for persons with disabilities while designing the building structures” he said pathetically, in an interview with Nigerian Grassroots News
Because of Yusuf’s passion for change, he joined an advocacy group of students with special needs and became the President. This his dedication he gained recognition within and outside the campus as he continued to volunteered more for relevant non-profits
Career as an Entrepreneur
After completing his education, Yusuff pondered the idea of establishing a business empire with a vision of creating an inclusive environment and addressing the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities. He noticed that many assistive products used by disability communities in Nigeria were imported from foreign countries. This realization prompted him to question why everyday items such as wheelchairs, accessible doors, white canes, and removable ramps were not being produced locally by ordinary individuals.
“That time, I attended a workshop, we were talking about entrepreneurship, how one can create values and all of that. The facilitator told us that one can have his own share from the national budget, if he can solve one of the problems that the government is trying to avoid. That they will give you a contract or they may allow you to do one or two things, by that way you also have your own share from the national budget.” he recounted
With the belief that “he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches,” Yusuff identified accessibility as a major issue for persons with disabilities. This realization inspired him to register his company, YuTex Global Concept Limited, under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The company renders consulting services, research and takes contracts for the design and installation of ramps, accessible toilets, doors among others for the betterment of the society.
“We are looking at manufacturing our own assistive device locally. Because funding, you know, to start a manufacturing company is very expensive. So, all these things require a lot of training both within and outside the country, which is capital intensive” he said
Partnership/Contractors
Yutex Global has enjoyed partnership with many organizations in Nigeria such as Accountability Lab Nigeria Abuja, Community Advancement Initiative 4 Self Reliant (CAI4SR) – Osogbo, Osun State, IFA, Abuja, Osun State University (Uniosun) Osogbo, Grand Serene Hotel, Ibadan, General Care Multiventures, Ibadan among others.
Business and marketing challenges
Sometime in September, 2023, Yusuff encountered a traumatic experience with a specific airline,(name of the airline is hidden because of ongoing legal issues associated with the trauma), during a business trip to Abuja. Despite having flown with them for years without any issues, he was unexpectedly denied access to the assistance he usually received. In the past, the airline had provided support for his assistance needs, but on this occasion, they demanded payment for the assistance, a change of policy he was unaware of.
Yusuf arrived airport in the early hours of the day and had to wait till 11am. Only to be denied access to his flight to Abuja that day, and he had a meeting scheduled for 8a.m the following day.. Thankfully, a staff officer intervened and rescheduled his flight. Despite the challenges, he miraculously did not miss the meeting with the big company that was considering giving him a contract, underscoring the resilience required when navigating obstacles as a person with a disability.
Other Businesses
Yusuf’s dynamism extended to establishing YuTex Entertainment, a company dedicated to promoting talented individuals with disabilities in music, poetry, spoken word, and drama. While he began talent management in 2019, the company organizes conferences, workshops, and virtual chats, and has even produced stage plays to showcase the remarkable abilities of these individuals.
“Aside from the issue of accessibility, wastage of manpower is the next. I realized that a lot of PWDs are very brilliant. Yusuf also manages an Under-13 football club called Yutex Unity FC in Ìséyìn, his hometown.
Leadership/Recognition
Yusuff was a former Assistant Secretary of the Joint National Association for Person with Disabilities (JONAPWD). He is a Certified Trauma Informed Care Specialist from JARS Education Institute, California. He has won a couple of humanitarian awards to his name.
Speaking on his impact, Ms Folashade Johnson, the founder of Hope for Widow Foundation, stated that Yusuf’s path of accessibility aids for PWDs provide quality accessible products that match the needs of his clients.
“He keeps having recommendations from one person to another, and most times, it is actually his works that advertise itself”, Folashade said
Editor’s note: Little adjustment made to headline after 1 hour of publication to identify the person first
