Incubating Social Innovation 

By Yinka Olatunbosun

A major milestone was reached recently as Ashoka Africa’s Changemaker Teacher Activation programme (CTEACH) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of 52 teachers. 

The event, which took place in Lagos, also saw the induction of 100 new teachers into the programme’s second cohort. The launch of the Changemaking Storybook was one of the highlights of the event. the book is a collection of stories on great changemakers who have led young and practised early changemaking. 

It features inspiring stories of Ashoka Young Changemakers like Ayomide Akran, founder of Pink Diva Organisation, who advocates for menstrual hygiene, and David Onilude, founder of TechNow Global, who equips young people with digital skills. “Through my initiative, we’re eradicating marginalisation in underserved communities and building a foundation for future leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” David Onilude remarked. 

There was also the premiere of the CTEACH documentary, a visual account of the journey of teachers and students transforming education through social innovation. The film highlights projects focused on key issues such as environmental sustainability and economic empowerment, driven by young students. Indeed, the documentary captures the transformative journeys of the changemakers and demonstrates the power and potential of changemaking. CTEACH, launched in September 2023, was created to integrate change-making education into government schools across Lagos State. 

The programme encourages teachers to turn classrooms into spaces where students can tackle real-world issues and lead social change. Graduating teachers have formed “Changemaking Squads” in their schools, helping students develop innovative solutions to societal problems. 

The graduation ceremony had in attendance top figures in the sector, including the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan, and Comrade Akintoye Hassan, Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers. During the ceremony, Angelou Ezeilo, Co-President of Ashoka Africa, highlighted the importance of programs like CTEACH. 

She described the CTEACH changemaker teacher activation programme as one of the initiatives Ashoka is deploying to improve change-making skills in young teachers in public schools. “By 2050, Africa’s young people will make up a significant portion of the global workforce,” she declared after the movie screening. “We are not just preparing students for jobs; we are nurturing changemakers who will drive progress and challenge the status quo.” Josephine Nzerem, Regional Director of Ashoka Anglophone West Africa, emphasised the program’s success: “CTEACH is not just about teaching; it’s about activating teachers to become changemakers themselves, spreading these skills in their classrooms and communities.” 

Several awards were presented to recognise outstanding contributions. Ipakodo Junior Grammar School won the “Most Innovative Changemaker Squad of the Year” award, while Ogunwiede Eunice received the “Inclusive Hero Award” for her empathetic teaching. Other awards included “Sustainability Champion of the Year” to Eva Adelaja Girls Junior Secondary School, “Most Empathic Teacher” to Adeniyi Okikijesu, and “Outstanding Changemaker Teacher of the Year” to Samuel Oladehinde. CTEACH is part of Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs. 

Ashoka has a presence in over 95 countries, supporting over 4,000 Fellows and fostering changemaking across the globe. The programme aims to ensure that every classroom becomes a hub for social innovation, empowering students to lead the future.