Ashoka Africa has unveiled its 2025 cohort of Ashoka Young Changemakers in Nigeria, spotlighting a powerful youth-led movement driving social transformation across the country. At the Young Changemaker Festival held in Lagos, students, educators, social entrepreneurs, and partners gathered to celebrate innovation, empathy, and the potential of young Nigerians to solve pressing social issues.
Angelou Ezeilo, Co-President of Ashoka Africa, emphasized the festival’s focus on nurturing leadership, resilience, and collaboration among youths. Adeolu Adewumi of ZER Consulting Africa stressed that education reform must go beyond curriculum to include emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills, urging private sector involvement in public education.
The event also recognized nine exceptional young changemakers, including:
- Vanessa Varlyngton (14) – Children4Climate Initiative
- Seyi Ogundipe (18) – Astra
- Emmanuella Sule (19) – Circles Mends
- Favour Oshiokenoya (19) – Own a Book Today
- Unique Okewoye (20) – Health Impact for Youth
- Precious Omelu (18) – For My Boys Initiative
- Oluwapelumi Oyetade (19) – Bloom in STEM
- Comfort Alabi (17) – Eco City Vision
- Oluwafeolami Awe-Joseph (19) – College Guide Africa
A major highlight was the CTEACH Pitch-a-thon, where public-school students presented bold, community-based solutions as part of Ashoka’s Changemaker Teacher Activation Programme.
Ashoka’s ongoing commitment is to raise a generation that doesn't just learn about problems but leads the charge in solving them.
Originally Published on BusinessDay
