From Rejection to Advocacy: How a CEO Turned Disability into Opportunity

Mr. Eberechi Marcus, Chief Executive Officer of the Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation (EEEF), a non-governmental organization (NGO), shared a personal story of rejection due to his visual impairment on Wednesday.

Reflecting on an incident from 2015, Marcus recounted how his visual disability led to rejection despite his skills and intelligence.

He revealed this during the official launch of the Foundation’s national campaign in Abuja, which advocates for decent job creation as a fundamental social right.

The event was held under the theme, “From Vulnerability to Opportunity: Strengthening Frameworks and Strategies for Decent Job Creation.”

Marcus recalled being told, “You are intelligent, you are capable, but we cannot employ you.”

The reason? His eyesight condition, which employers perceived as a vulnerability, preventing them from looking beyond his disability.

Rather than being discouraged, Marcus said this experience inspired him to establish an NGO dedicated to promoting decent job opportunities in society.

“That painful rejection sparked a transformation in me. Instead of giving in to despair, I resolved to create a platform to empower the vulnerable,” he explained.

He founded EEEF with a clear mission to facilitate decent job creation, particularly for youth, women, and the most vulnerable members of society.

Drawing from his personal journey, Marcus focused on breaking down barriers faced by many, including young people seeking meaningful employment, women confronting workplace inequality, and persons with disabilities.

He emphasized that the Foundation is grounded in the belief that vulnerability, when supported and embraced, can be a powerful catalyst for opportunity, innovation, and social change.

Under his leadership, the Foundation launched the National Dialogue on Decent Job Creation, now in its third edition. This dialogue serves several important purposes, including policy advocacy aimed at fostering decent job creation.

Marcus explained that the Foundation’s work rests on four key pillars: Entrepreneurial Vocational Training, which equips vulnerable groups with marketable skills; Financial Literacy, promoting sustainable economic empowerment; Policy Advocacy, bridging the gap between policymakers and citizens; and Constructive Engagement Platforms, providing spaces for dialogue between beneficiaries and decision-makers to co-create solutions.

Speaking on Nigeria’s job market realities, Mr. Nya-Etok Ezekiel, Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, called for a national shift away from an overreliance on white-collar jobs.

Ezekiel, who worked with Marcus before his vision deteriorated in 2012 and 2013, shared, “Marcus was always intelligent. I tried everything to help him regain his sight. Instead of this setback defining him, he founded the NGO. That’s why I always support his initiatives.”

He highlighted the limited job opportunities in traditional sectors and stressed the need to back programmes like the national dialogue, which aim to spark innovation and job creation through entrepreneurship and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).

“Our education system has conditioned young people to believe that success only comes from white-collar jobs or political appointments,” Ezekiel noted. “But Nigeria is a nation rich with untapped opportunities.”

Reflecting on his own career, Ezekiel shared his choice to forgo paid employment in favor of professional integrity until retirement age.

“When young people have mentors and role models who have succeeded as professionals or entrepreneurs, it leads to both personal fulfillment and job creation,” he said.

“Waiting on government alone won’t solve unemployment. Empowering MSMEs to employ two, five, or ten people—that’s the future of job creation in Nigeria.”

He urged participants to use social media to broaden the conversation beyond the meeting room and to amplify the campaign’s message.

Mrs. Agu-Ifeoma Uche, CEO of Thelma Lion Foundation, stressed the power of collective wisdom and shared responsibility.

“Together, we can build a brighter future for all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable,” she said.

She highlighted the event’s goal to set Nigeria on a more equitable and inclusive path, ensuring no one is left behind.

Uche encouraged stakeholders to collaborate in developing frameworks and strategies that transform vulnerability into opportunity for marginalized communities.

She called on participants to use their expertise and passion to drive meaningful, lasting change through improved job creation strategies.

According to VOP, the national dialogue is timely as Nigeria continues to face youth unemployment and seeks scalable, sustainable ways to grow its economy from within.