Introduction
MentorMe Nigeria is committed to empowering youth through mentorship programs and vocational training, regardless of their social background. Our aim is to enhance civic engagement, encourage academic achievement, promote entrepreneurship, and build professional skills. To date, MentorMe Nigeria has successfully completed three mentorship cohorts, paired over a 100 students with mentors from reputable organizations and hosted several workshops and seminars. Our initiative emphasizes the importance of quality mentorship in shaping future leaders and addressing the challenges faced by disadvantaged youths in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Youth Future Fund (NYFF) Project was launched in 2021 by Leadership Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Luminate Group. The NYFF Project is a five-year initiative focused on cultivating youth leadership and activism by providing targeted capacity building, youth ecosystem development, and financial support to emerging youth-led movements in Nigeria.
MentorMe Nigeria was selected as the recipient of the Development Grant as LEAP Africa seeks to promote good governance and address critical national issues. We believe that leadership is all about empowering youth. It’s about guiding and inspiring our student leaders to unlock their potential, make informed decisions, and actively engage with their communities. This mission resonates deeply with what we stand for and our recent partnership with LEAP Africa and the NYFF reflects this commitment.
On July 20th, 2024, we held our first meeting with our selected student leaders. Following a rigorous application and screening of about 125 prospective candidates, five exemplary students emerged successful. We are fortunate to have an incredible group of student leaders join us for the training, each of them a top achiever in their various fields. We will be mentoring them in leadership, project management and most importantly, the importance of civic engagement and public participation in governance and the democratic process. They will be working closely with MentorMe Nigeria for the next six months to plan and implement projects.
Meet Our Inspiring Student Leaders
John Favour Ayomipo
John Favour Ayomipo, a final-semester Urban and Regional Planning student at the University of Lagos, is a distinguished leader and advocate. As President of the Urban and Regional Planning Students’ Association (URPSA) and a Senator for the Students Representative Assembly (SRA) of the Urban and Regional Planning Students’ Association of Nigeria (URPSAN) for the 2023-2024 session, Favour showcases exceptional leadership. He has also served as Educational Committee Chairman for URPSAN and Assistant General Secretary for URPSA. His academic excellence includes winning 1st place in the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners’ 2022 National Essay Writing and Quiz Competition. Favour is an alumnus of the Nigeria Green Academy, Oxford School of Climate Change, and DAAD Spring School 2023. He leads climate initiatives as a Run Leader for UrbanBetter Lagos Cityzens and an Action Lab Leader for the Children, Cities, and Climate (CCC) Action Lab, advocating for a climate-resilient Lagos. His commitment to civic engagement and climate advocacy makes him a valuable participant in the MentorMe Student Leaders Fellowship Program.
Zainab Ogunjobi (ZARA)
Zainab Ogunjobi (ZARA) is a final-year Economics student at Lagos State University, known for her curiosity and diverse interests. A passionate advocate for social and personal development, she actively supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an SDG Youth Club member and SDG Ambassador. Zainab has also held various leadership roles within the university, including Vice President of the Social Science Students Association (SOSSA) and Captain Mentee for the Centre for Response and Protection Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV-LASU). She is committed to using her knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world.
Oyindamola Idowu
Oyindamola Idowu, recognized as one of JCI’s top ten outstanding young persons for her contributions to children, gender, and human rights, is a catalyst for change with a passion for sustainability and technology. As a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld and Campus Director at Campus Recycling Champion, she has led initiatives in sustainability and technology through the Millennium Fellowship, TEDxLASU, the Maiden Leadership Forum, and Google Developers Students Club LASU. She has also served as Academic Officer for the Education Students of Nigeria (LASU). These roles have honed her skills in team management, project coordination, product management, and expertise in SDGs, including gender equality, health, environmental sustainability, and education. In her free time, Oyindamola excels as a compere and moderator for tech events.
Bada Azeez Akinola
Bada Azeez Akinola, a Political Science student at the University of Lagos, serves as the President of the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS UNILAG). Passionate about civic engagement, he has organized numerous community service projects and voter registration drives, motivating his peers to actively participate in politics. His dedication to political advocacy has led him to volunteer with civil society organizations such as Yiaga Africa, GoVote Nigeria, Get Youth Involved, and ActionAid. Azeez is also a pioneer member of the UNILAG Not Too Young to Run Hub, which trains youth and students on political awareness and involvement. He co-founded the TENA Initiative and is the National Vice President of the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS).
Itunuoluwa Soniregun
Rt. Hon Itunuoluwa Soniregun is the first female speaker Lagos state youth parliament and the youngest speaker in the state youth parliament in Nigeria. She is an advocate for youth inclusiveness, women’s participation, good health and quality education. She is an advocate for youth participation, women’s inclusiveness and Quality education.
Introduction to New Voice Bootcamp
The event took place at CivicHive and was hosted by Oluwaseun Muraina, the assistant program coordinator at MentorMe Nigeria and featured guest speaker Temidayo Musa, the head of operations and programs at CivicHive. After a brief introduction to our goals and vision, the details of the student leaders program were presented to the students.
The program, called the New Voices Initiative, requires each student leader to plan and implement a one-day boot camp at their respective institutes to train first-time voters aged 18-25 in the civic process. These boot camps will focus on educating participants in different tertiary institutions across Lagos on democratic processes and the importance of active citizenship. Using a comprehensive civic resource guide filled with accessible learning materials, the student leaders will facilitate interactive sessions, workshops, and discussions.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s youth population represents a powerful force for democratic change. MentorMe Nigeria is helping to foster an environment that encourages political participation and promotes addressing the challenges to engagement. The youth have the potential to reshape the future of politics in Nigeria. As the next generation emerges, we aim to amplify their voices, ensuring they are heard, their contributions are recognized, and their aspirations are reflected.
