Nigerian Student among Finalists for $100,000 Global Prize

A Nigerian student studying at Vanderbilt University, United States, Noel Ifeanyi Alumona, is among the 50 finalists for the prestigious 2023 Chegg and Varkey Foundation’s Global Student Award with a prize of $100,000. 

The winner of the award will be announced later this year. 

Alumona was selected for the global award based on his work on ending gender-based violence in the country through his non-governmental organisation, Boys Champions.

He founded the NGO in 2018 to educate male youths on responsible living and respect for female gender. He said such value orientation was necessary to correct male chauvinism and curtail gender-based violence perpetrated by men against women and girls. 

His work brought him to the global limelight as he became the first African to win the AFS Award in 2022.

In a chat with journalists, Alumona expressed joy at his nomination by Chegg and Varkey Foundation, describing it as a mind-blowing development. He further explained the activities of his non-profit organisation in the fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria. 

Alumona noted that working with boys and men could have a positive, transformative impact on the lives of women and girls. He explained that Boys Champions remains committed to providing a safe place for women and girls by engaging young boys and men, teaching them healthy masculinity and how to relate to females respectfully. 

He added that the organisation provides mentorship programmes and empowers participating boys to excel in school, pursue a college education, and succeed in life. It also provides academic enrichment, social skills building, college preparation and career development programmes for under-served male youths in Nigeria. 

“Our organisation is committed to these boys because we believe they can maximise their talents with the right education, experience and encouragement,” he said.