Ashoka Africa highlights power of youth to drive meaningful social transformation

A non-governmental organisation, Ashoka Africa, has emphasised the power of youth to drive meaningful social transformation during the 2025 edition of the Ashoka Young Changemakers Festival.

The festival was an inspiring gathering of young leaders, educators, and changemaking allies committed to shaping a Nigeria where every young person sees themselves as a problem-solver.

Held in Lagos, the festival marked a pivotal moment in the movement to integrate changemaking into schools, communities, and systems, while spotlighting the potential of youth to drive meaningful social change.

This year’s event also celebrated the unveiling of the newly elected Ashoka Young Changemakers for 2025. This exceptional group, all under 21, have launched impactful initiatives tackling issues such as mental health, educational equity, climate action, gender equality, and inclusive technology.

Elected through a peer-led selection process, these changemakers are leading teams, influencing mindsets, and building better systems for all.
The 2025 Ashoka Young Changemakers include Vanessa Varlyngton, 14, founder of Egalitarianism for Earth (Children4Climate Initiative); Seyi Ogundipe, 18, founder of Ad Astra; Emmanuella Sule, 19, founder of Circles Mends; and Favour Oshiokenoya, 19, founder of the Own a Book Today Initiative.

Others are Unique Okewoye, 20, founder of Health Impact for Youth; Precious Omelu, 18, founder of For My Boys Initiative; Oluwapelumi Oyetade, 19, founder of Bloom in STEM; Comfort Alabi, 17, founder of Eco City Vision; and Feolami Awe Joseph, 19, founder of the Educational Guidance Development Initiative (College Guide Africa).

As part of the festival, Ashoka also recognised the winners of the CTEACH Pitch-a-thon, student-led Changemaker Squads from Lagos State public schools. These squads designed and pitched real solutions to real problems in their schools and communities.

The student teams, supported by teachers trained through Ashoka’s Changemaker Teacher Activation Programme (CTEACH), demonstrated that when educators shift from mere instruction to activation, students respond with bold ideas and transformative leadership.

Unique Okewoye, a part-five nursing student at Achievers University, Owo, expressed her joy at being part of the programme, describing changemaking as a beautiful journey anyone can embark on.

She shared how her passion for gender equality was her starting point. “I was just 12, and I thought maybe when I make money, become 25, or 30, then I’ll start actively coming out against the whole gender inequality thing,” she said.

Okewoye began her journey with online groups before moving to community outreaches and one-on-one sessions in secondary schools, universities, and social institutions.

“One thing I’ve understood is that you don’t have to always think everything through. That’s one thing with young people; we like to overthink. All you have to do is learn on the job. Changemaking has taught me that you can start wherever you are, identify the problem, and use the resources you have to solve it,” she added.

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, the founder and CEO of ZER Consulting Africa, stressed the importance of motivating young people to ignite change within their networks.

Adewumi-Zer, a member of Ashoka Africa Builders (AAB), highlighted that changemaking involves rethinking problems and viewing them as opportunities for transformation.

A co-leader at  Ashoka Africa, Okechukwu Uzechina, described the event as a continuous stream of change-making  coming to a crest. He emphasised the importance of empowering young people to be change makers and highlighted the role of teachers in inspiring and activating students.
 
The festival brings together students, teachers, education leaders, social entrepreneurs, and partners from across Nigeria to celebrate a shared vision of a country where every young person is inspired, enabled, and activated to be a changemaker.

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