Rasak Adekoya
Global Technical Advisor of Economic Empowerment, Sightsavers
he, him, his
“Leadership is the ability to inspire and mobilize individuals and communities to drive transformative change. We must foster adaptability and innovation as we create a shared vision that empowers underrepresented voices and builds sustainable solutions to complex social challenges.”
Rasak Adekoya is a Nigeria-based disability rights activist and author and the global technical advisor of economic empowerment at Sightsavers, an international organization that works to prevent avoidable blindness and promote equality for people with disabilities. He has dedicated his career to addressing economic exclusion experienced by people with disabilities by coordinating with the public and private sectors to increase opportunities and reduce inequality for them. Through his experience as a person living with a disability navigating education and the workplace, Rasak brings a deep understanding of the critical importance of accessible systems to a healthy society.
At Sightsavers, Rasak works to develop and support equitable economic empowerment across countries in Africa and South Asia. He has also played a significant role in the establishment of National Business and Disability Networks in Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Senegal. Each network is a private sector-led platform that promotes disability inclusion in the workplace, community, and supply chain. He has coordinated labor market assessments for people with disabilities in these countries and served as speaker for the Nigeria People’s Disability Parliament. He is the author of four books and the co-founder of the Centre for Inclusive Development in Nigeria and Africa Volunteering Week.
Rasak believes that courageous and transformative leadership can inspire collective action, embrace innovative solutions, adapt to complex realities, and prioritize access and empowerment for everyone. He knows that through engaging with policymakers and advocates, and influencing processes and practices, it is possible to build and strengthen institutions and coordinate sustainable, just development.