Ashoka and United Way Greater Nigeria Partner to Foster Youth Changemaking

The Young Changemakers Festival held on the 30th May 2024, at The Zone, Gbagada, Lagos with the aim to enable and inspire young individuals to positively impact their communities and the world. The event provided a platform for learning,
networking, and showcasing the incredible projects and ideas led by young changemakers in
Nigeria and other countries.

Deola Durodola, Executive Director, United Way Greater Nigeria who were one of the partners of the event stated that, “Much like the Global United Way headquartered in the US, United Way Greater Nigeria firmly believes in the power of collaboration. Across Nigeria, we partner with nonprofits, companies, governments, and individuals to help people and communities thrive. Over the years, we have consistently worked to improve the quality of education and learning outcomes for students and young people. Additionally, we provide grants and support to young people making a difference in their communities through our Annual International Youth Day Grant. Our partnership with Ashoka Africa on the CTEACH initiative, and by extension the Ashoka Young Changemakers Festival, aligns perfectly with our mission and goals. We are incredibly proud to inspire these young people to recognize their potential as agents of change and motivate them to take tangible actions to address social, environmental, and economic challenges in their communities.”

Regional Director, Ashoka Anglophone West Africa, Josephine Nnzerem, expressed what hirthed the the idea. She revealed that, “Our vision is to build a world where everyone is a change maker. And secondly you can not build a world were everyone is a change maker and you don’t have young people and teachers involved. Even if a child is learning change making in the home it is very important for the child to be activated in the school. And we needed to change the mindset of teachers who thinks their role is just to pass on Maths and English which was why we started it.”

With its theme centered on inspiring, enabling, and activating youth changemaking in Nigeria, the program fosters empathy and practical changemaking abilities, significantly impacting teachers, students, families, and the broader community. By equipping millions of students with 21st-century skills, the initiative aims to prepare a new generation of leaders capable of addressing the nation’s most pressing issues.

Among the 22 Ashoka Youth Champions (AYCs) who participated, nine stood out for their exceptional leadership and groundbreaking solutions to Nigeria’s critical social challenges. These young leaders tackled a range of issues, including mental health, education, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. Their innovative approaches have not only addressed immediate problems but also laid the groundwork for sustainable change in their communities.

Through these efforts, the program has demonstrated the power of youth-led changemaking in driving social progress. By fostering a supportive environment and providing the necessary tools and resources, the initiative has enabled these young leaders to transform their visionary ideas into tangible, impactful actions. As these champions continue to inspire others, the ripple effect of their work is expected to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for Nigeria.