Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa

Changemaker’s Journey Saviour Iwueze grew up surrounded by the beauty of nature in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, Nigeria. Her love for nature heightened her sensitivity to climate change and its effects, which enabled her to connect several childhood experiences to its impact. For instance, she frequently...

Changemaker’s Journey Digital illiteracy, according to Peter, has hindered him from adapting to the learning and problem-solving models essential for becoming a 21st-century changemaking leader. Growing up, he attended a public school in an underserved community, and throughout his six years of...

Changemaker’s Journey Naomi’s journey into STEM began during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 when she discovered coding and web development. This led her into the tech community, where she attended hackathons—intensive events where participants have 24 to 70 hours to build tech-based projects. It was...

Changemaker’s Journey At sixteen, Favour was a victim of sexual abuse—a harrowing experience that gave her a reality check and made her realise that there could be many others like her in need of support. This realisation prompted her to start an initiative to raise awareness, provide support, and...

Changemaker’s Journey Coming from an underserved community herself, where she lacked access to digital skills in secondary school, Eunice took it upon herself to create learning opportunities for young people in similar situations, empowering them to become digitally literate. She became acutely...

Changemaker’s Journey As a child, Dawn Cobhams lacked access to after-school educational support due to financial constraints. She had to rely on the internet for the few virtual learning resources available to fully grasp certain school topics, which affected her academic performance. This...

Ashraf Aminu Maisikeli is a young changemaker from Kano State, committed to empowering street children and out-of-school youth in Northern Nigeria by helping them harness their abilities and access life-changing opportunities

Changemaker’s Journey Flourish Alonge is a passionate mental health advocate from Ekiti State, Nigeria. Her journey began not with advocacy, but with personal pain. While living in Lagos, she silently battled anorexia nervosa—an eating disorder defined by an intense fear of gaining weight, which led...

Changemaker Journey Magnus' story is a testament to the power of resilience, particularly in the face of tragedy and heart-rending personal loss. Following the passing of his father, Magnus had to contend with a number of significant challenges — all while reckoning with the traumatic experience of...

Changemaker Journey Abeedah's changemaking journey has largely been driven by her personal experiences, with the challenges she contended with as a child having an indelible impact on her sustainable outlook and activist mindset. Her secondary school years were marked by devastating natural...

Changemaker Journey Amara is one of countless activists who have been compelled by challenging circumstances to rise to the task of effecting positive change in disadvantaged communities, supporting people in need to lead the lives they deserve. What sets her apart, however, is her unwavering...

Changemaker Journey Like many young Nigerians, Victor understands just how hard it is to strive for success when faced with economic and structural disadvantages. He grew up without the means, opportunities or access to pursue his passions, with these considerable barriers almost proving...

Changemaker Journey An avid IT enthusiast, Joshua has always been passionate about technology. Immersing himself in all things tech-related and honing his digital skills at an exceptionally young age, Joshua whet his appetite for IT at any and every opportunity he could get. However, over time, he...

Changemaker Journey Currently enrolled at the University of Calabar — undertaking an Economics and Education Bachelor's degree — Ruth prides herself on effecting lasting change as a girl child advocate. Having personally contended with the challenges of period poverty growing up, raising greater...

Changemaker Journey Almajirai are children — typically between the ages of 5 and 14 — enrolled in non-formal institutions referred to as “Tsangaya”: Qur’anic schools that teach an Islamic system of education. These children are often from the most underserved rural areas in northern Nigeria, and...

Splendour Kalu is a young changemaker dedicated to empowering students in rural areas of Nigeria, especially young girls, with digital skills. Through his initiative, Communities Will Connect, Splendour is bridging the digital literacy gap by providing underserved children the opportunity to learn...

Godwin Kevin is a young changemaker working to ensure access to opportunities for young people. As a passionate advocate for youth leadership and empowerment, he is committed to connecting young people to resources, training and engagements that help them become changemakers. He believes that with...

David Onilude is a young changemaker empowering and improving the livelihoods of children in underserved communities in Nigeria through technology. His work is ensuring that young people in rural communities have the digital skills, resources, and support to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world...

Ayomide Akran is a 13-year-old changemaker dedicated to sustainable environment and gender equality in Nigeria. She is committed to combatting ‘period poverty’ and improving the recycling system in Nigeria by providing sustainable reusable pads for young girls. Ayomide believes that with the right...

Jonathan Godwin is a technology savvy young changemaker who is helping ensure that young people with few financial or educational resources are building the skills most needed for today's rapidly changing world. He is unleashing their power as changemakers through alternative models that champion...