Angelina Ungianumbeye Ugben is a globally respected Nigerian disability rights advocate, climate leader, and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of disability inclusion, sustainable development, and women’s empowerment. She is widely recognized for her bold leadership in advancing the participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in climate action, inclusive governance, and economic development across Africa and beyond.

She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI)—a pioneering organization launched in June 2025 at Nigeria’s National Assembly Complex. GDGI is committed to empowering 10,000 persons with disabilities as Green Leaders by 2030, through innovative programs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and green entrepreneurship. Under Angelina’s leadership, GDGI is transforming marginalization into opportunity, redefining the role of PWDs in Africa’s green economy and global climate solutions.

Angelina also serves as the Executive Director of the Inclusive Skills Development Initiative (ISDI), where she leads programs that equip women with disabilities with practical skills, leadership capacity, and access to economic opportunities across diverse sectors.

In her national leadership role as National Social Welfare Secretary of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Nigeria, Angelina contributes directly to shaping inclusive public policy and national development strategies. Through strategic collaboration between GDGI and JONAPWD, she has led impactful initiatives such as nationwide tree-planting campaigns and the distribution of solar lamps to students with disabilities—advancing both environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

Beyond advocacy, Angelina is a visionary social entrepreneur. She is the Founder of God’s Habitation International and Angels Enterprise Development (AED)—enterprises dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, with business skills, entrepreneurship training, and access to sustainable livelihoods. A proud alumna of the 2023 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, she continues to demonstrate the economic potential and leadership capacity of entrepreneurs with disabilities.

A passionate champion for gender-responsive governance, Angelina is a strong advocate for Nigeria’s Reserved Seats Bill, which seeks to increase women’s representation in parliament, including women with disabilities. She consistently emphasizes that inclusive leadership is essential to addressing national challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and social inequality.

Angelina actively engages at national and international levels, participating in United Nations workshops, climate policy dialogues, and strategic collaborations with organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCO, government institutions, civil society, and development partners, including Connected Development (CODE). Her work bridges disability inclusion, environmental justice, and women’s leadership—driving systemic and sustainable change across sectors.

Recognition & Honors

• Named among the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa by Women Who Win Africa
• Recipient of the Challenge Champion and Heroes Award (2024)
• Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy by United Graduate College and Seminary International (USA)

Through her visionary leadership and unwavering advocacy, Angelina Ugben continues to empower persons with disabilities—especially women and girls—to become agents of change, advancing inclusion, leadership, and economic transformation for a more just, equitable, and sustainable Africa and beyond.