Lois Auta is a disability rights advocate, social entrepreneur, and the founder of Cedar Seed Foundation, a non-profit organisation that promotes the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria. She has dedicated her life to advocating for disability rights and creating opportunities for people with disabilities to lead more fulfilling lives.
Born in 1985 in Garki, a suburb of the Nigerian capital Abuja, Lois Auta was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of two. This condition left her wheelchair-bound and with limited mobility, but she did not let her disability hold her back. She pursued her education, earning a degree in political science from the University of Jos, and later a postgraduate diploma in education from the National Teachers’ Institute in Kaduna.
After completing her education, Lois Auta became involved in disability advocacy. In 2013, she founded Cedar Seed Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to promote the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria. The organisation provides training, advocacy, and support services to people with disabilities, with a particular focus on education, employment, and access to healthcare.
Under Lois Auta’s leadership, Cedar Seed Foundation has become a leading voice in the disability rights movement in Nigeria. The organisation has initiated numerous advocacy campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, including discrimination, lack of access to education and healthcare, and limited employment opportunities. They have also worked to promote disability-inclusive policies and legislation, such as the National Disability Bill, which was signed into law in 2019.
In addition to her work with Cedar Seed Foundation, Lois Auta is also a social entrepreneur. In 2016, she founded the Spero Apparel brand, which produces and sells clothing and accessories designed for people with disabilities. The brand’s products are designed to be comfortable, practical, and stylish, and are tailored to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities, such as easy-to-use closures and adjustable features.
Lois Auta’s advocacy and entrepreneurship have earned her numerous awards and recognition. In 2018, she was awarded the Queen’s Young Leaders Award by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her work promoting disability rights in Nigeria. She was also named a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow, an initiative of the US Department of State that brings young African leaders to the United States for leadership training and networking opportunities.
Lois Auta is a remarkable individual who has dedicated her life to promoting the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria. Through her work with Cedar Seed Foundation and Spero Apparel, she has created opportunities for people with disabilities to lead more fulfilling lives, and has become a leading voice in the disability rights movement in Nigeria. Her work is an inspiration to us all, and a reminder of the importance of advocacy and social entrepreneurship in creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
