A large percent of the Nigerian populace is made up of young people aged between 15 – 24. This population is pivotal in any nation’s drive for change. Sadly this is not the case in Nigeria due to a myriad of reasons. For example, planned extracurricular activities are almost non-existent in many secondary schools. Upon completion, only 20% of eligible students who seek entry into Nigerian universities get admitted each year due to capacity. The number seeking entry increases each year because it takes an average of 3 – 5 years to gain admission. Even when they do, the average undergraduate in Nigeria spend more time outside the university system than within due to forced breaks, occasioned by strike actions and other exigencies. There is hardly any meaningful plan to engage youths during these idle periods, so majority feel disaffected and often turn to crime and violence.

At Dr Nonso Nnamoko Foundation we want to change this narrative, an kindle curiosity and a thirst for change/problem solving in the minds of disengaged youths. We are however not ignorant of the challenges ahead. Our plan is to change the story one person at a time, through strategic programs designed to tackle the current situation. The bulk of our funding in this area is targeted at engaging youth programmes with direct or indirect empowerment component(s). Through these programmes, we hope to help Nigerian youths, especially those in rural areas, to speak out and be heard by those who make policies that affect them.