1. A groundbreaking workshop titled “Emerging Trends in Gender-Based Violence and Challenges Encountered by Adolescents Experiencing Sexual Assault” was held on July 5, 2025, at Elomaz Hotel, Maryland, Lagos. Organised by African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development, the event brought together educators, law enforcement, legal experts, health advocates, and students to address pressing issues affecting adolescents in secondary schools across Maryland, Lagos.
Diverse Voices, Unified Purpose.
The workshop featured an esteemed panel of speakers;
Mr. Kingsley Chinedu, Regional Director of Olivier Schools, Maryland, Lagos, delivered an insightful presentation on Student Attendance and Truancy. He highlighted how absenteeism and truancy are often both symptoms and catalysts of deeper social issues, including exposure to violence and lack of supportive school environments.
CSP Akinwunmi Oke, MPA, Divisional Police Officer at Ikeja Divisional Headquarters, Area F, Lagos Command, spoke passionately on the topic of Rape. Drawing from his experience overseeing Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection Units, he emphasised the urgent need for sensitive law enforcement responses and robust community engagement to break the cycle of silence and impunity.
Albert Van-Lare, Esq., a Manhattan-based civil rights attorney and long-standing advocate for gender equality, addressed Rape and Its Consequences. He underscored the legal and psychological impacts of sexual assault, urging for stronger legal protections and support systems for survivors.
Dr. Nosa Aigbedion, Director of Operations at Social Watch Anti-Drug Abuse Advocacy (SWADAA/NDELA), Lagos, focused on the Impact of Substance Abuse. He outlined the link between substance abuse, vulnerability to sexual violence, and the importance of early intervention and education for teenagers.
Dr. Yewande Omikunle-Ogungibi, gender inclusion expert and founder of African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development, concluded with a session on What Teenagers Need to Know About Gender-Based Violence. She empowered students with knowledge about their rights, the importance of speaking out, and the role of youth in fostering safer communities.
Key Insights and Outcomes
Breaking the Silence: The workshop provided a safe space for open dialogue on topics often considered taboo, such as rape and sexual assault. Participants were encouraged to challenge the culture of silence and stigma that hinders justice and healing.
African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development reaffirmed its dedication to empowering youth and advancing sustainable development goals. The organisation plans to expand its outreach, offering more workshops and resources to schools and communities across Nigeria from a collaborative perspective.
2. Theme: African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development (ASYASD) and African Peace Foundation Champions Peace Culture in Nigeria with the National Orientation Agency;
In 2022, African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development (ASYASD) made a significant contribution to Nigeria’s peace-building efforts by presenting a comprehensive policy brief to the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The presentation was held in collaboration with Professor Ola Makinwa, President General of the African Peace Foundation, highlighting strategic approaches to embedding a culture of peace across Nigerian communities.
The policy brief emphasised the vital role of promoting peace culture as a foundation for sustainable development and social cohesion. Recognising Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and socio-political landscape, ASYASD underscored the necessity of inclusive youth engagement and education in peacebuilding processes to prevent conflicts and foster harmony. The presentation detailed evidence-based recommendations on how peace principles can be effectively imbibed at grassroots and institutional levels through education, dialogue, and participatory governance.
Professor Ola Makinwa praised the policy brief for its forward-thinking framework that aligns with his book titled “Peace Culture’’ a cultural, political, and social dimension of peacebuilding. He noted the importance of youth empowerment as agents of change in fostering peaceful coexistence and reducing violence in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic society.
ASYASD’s engagement with NOA marks a milestone in its continued advocacy for a peaceful Nigeria. By leveraging youth activism and strategic partnerships with influential peace organisations, ASYASD aims to mainstream peace education and dialogue into national policies and community programs.
3. Stakeholders across government agencies, civil society, and academia have lauded the initiative as a critical step toward sustainable Promoting Health, Hygiene, and Education in Rural Ekiti;
750 students of the Babalola Memorial Grammar School, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, ASYASD and Sarah Ayoka Odueaiye Foundation Lead Transformative Outreach in 2023peace and development. ASYASD encourages continuous collaboration to implement the policy recommendations and build resilient communities rooted in peaceful coexistence.
As Nigeria faces ongoing challenges of ethnic tensions and socio-economic disparities, efforts like these spearheaded by ASYASD and partners are essential to nurturing a stable and united society.
Recognising the critical importance of rural health, menstrual hygiene, and comprehensive sexuality education, African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development (ASYASD) placed these issues at the forefront of its 2023 agenda. In a powerful collaboration with the Sarah Ayoka Odueaiye Foundation, ASYASD reached out to selected schools across Ekiti State, empowering both students and communities through targeted education and support.
This impactful initiative involved intensive adult education sessions aimed at raising awareness among community leaders and caregivers about adolescent health challenges, gender sensitivity, and the significance of safe menstrual practices. Understanding the barriers that young girls often face, the program distributed sanitary pads to female students, helping to ensure they can attend school with dignity and confidence.
Moreover, male students were not left behind, receiving essential writing materials to support their academic success. To encourage and celebrate scholastic achievement, the program awarded cash prizes to 10 outstanding and 10 efficient students, nurturing a culture of excellence and motivation within the rural schools.
This collaboration exemplifies ASYASD’s commitment to addressing deep-rooted challenges in rural communities by promoting holistic education and health interventions that foster equity, empowerment, and sustainable development.
Through efforts like these, ASYASD and its partners continue to pave the way for a healthier, more educated generation ready to lead Nigeria’s future.
4. Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building Impact Across Nigeria’s Six Geopolitical Zones.
African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development (ASYASD) has actively led youth empowerment initiatives by training young advocates to develop and submit policy brief proposals to both state and federal governments. These proposals have successfully influenced policy adoption, resulting in impactful programs that advance equity, inclusion, and economic opportunities for marginalised groups.
Building on this foundation, ASYASD spearheaded nationwide advocacy for youth capacity building and entrepreneurship development. Targeting unemployed youth from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, we collaborated closely with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and partner agencies, including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Abuja Enterprise Agency, and the Bank of Industry.
A key achievement in this partnership was facilitating access to financial empowerment through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Services Enterprises Investment Scheme (CBN AGSMEIS) loans, specifically targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This financial support enabled youth entrepreneurs to launch and scale their businesses, thereby contributing to job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth.
5. African Skilled Youth Advocacy Collaborates with Kuje Manufacturing Area Council to Empower 2,000 Unemployed Youth through Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development – 2022 In a dedicated effort to tackle youth unemployment and promote economic empowerment, African Skilled Youth Advocacy for Sustainable Development (ASYASD) partnered with the Kuje Manufacturing Area Council in 2022 to train 2,000 unemployed youths in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development. This impactful initiative received critical support from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, underscoring the national commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable economic growth.
The program was strategically designed to equip participants with practical skills and business acumen needed to thrive in the competitive labour market and foster self-employment opportunities. Training modules covered various trades and entrepreneurial competencies, including financial literacy, business planning, marketing, and innovation management.
Through this collaboration, ASYASD and the Kuje Manufacturing Area Council have contributed significantly to building a resilient youth workforce capable of driving local economic development. The initiative also enhanced participants’ confidence and capacity, laying the groundwork for a new generation of skilled entrepreneurs and professionals in Abuja’s manufacturing sector.
This project aligns with broader federal strategies aimed at reducing youth unemployment, strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and promoting inclusive growth across Nigeria. ASYASD remains committed to working alongside government agencies and community stakeholders to scale such transformational programs nationwide.
