Power Moves, Policy Talks & Youth Voices Leading Change
Dear Friend,
April was about turning conversations into action and amplifying youth leadership where it matters most.
One of our major highlights in April was hosting a powerful Virtual Side Event on Youth Leadership and Financing for a Sustainable Future on the sidelines of the UN ECOSOC 2025 Forum. This event brought global attention to how young people are shaping solutions and driving accountability across the SDGs.
We also launched two major publications that prove impact isn’t just a buzzword, but what we live by:
🔹 The Voices of Impact Report, spotlighting bold climate action from the Climate Action for Stronger Naija project
🔹 The YAL 2024 Cohort Report, celebrating 33 youth leaders across 18 states, transforming their communities
We joined stakeholders to honour Innocent Chukwuma's legacy at the Annual lecture in honour of his works, organised by CLEEN Foundation and the ILO’s Non-State Actors Programme to push for inclusive development in Nigeria.
And it didn’t stop there, from our interactive Twitter Space on the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA), to welcoming new YAL mentors, unpacking the power of policy at our YAL Learning Session with Femi Obidare, and celebrating our April Volunteer of the Month, we’ve been loud, proud, and intentional.
We’re building a movement, and every action counts.
👇 Dive into our April highlights and relive the moments that mattered.
ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025: Leadership. Financing. The Future.
In partnership with Mind the Gap Nigeria and the UN Nigeria Inter-Agency Youth Group, we hosted a virtual side event to deepen conversations around youth leadership and access to sustainable financing in the Global South. Titled Youth Leadership and Financing for a Sustainable Future, the event aimed to spotlight young changemakers' challenges and opportunities in securing resources to scale their impact, innovate in climate action, and drive inclusive development.
With vibrant voices from across Nigeria and beyond, we explored how young people are unlocking impact through innovative financing and SDG action. One of the major takeaways from the event was the need for the Nigerian Youth to take charge of their future and to realise their potential as change agents and drivers of innovative tech-driven solutions.
Building Decent Work, One Voice at a Time
From policies to people, we showed up at the ILO’s Non-State Actors Engagement on Nigeria’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2023-2027 at the UN House, Abuja, to push for youth inclusion, better jobs, and fairer workplaces in Nigeria. With 92% of employment still informal and a 13.7% NEET rate among youth, it’s clear: we need bold, inclusive labour reforms, and young people must be at the table. NGYouthSDGs’ participation at this engagement strengthens our ongoing advocacy for meaningful youth participation in national development policies. It aligns with our mission to empower young people through evidence-based policy engagement, particularly around SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Honouring a Legacy and a Life of Impact
We joined CLEEN Foundation at the 3rd Annual Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Lecture, reflecting on personal leadership and political courage. The theme, "The Personal is Political: Lessons from the Life of Innocent Chukwuma", was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of Innocent Chukwuma’s work. A tireless advocate for human rights, justice sector reform, and gender equality, his legacy continues to shape conversations and actions around building a just and inclusive society.
The Keynote speaker, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, highlighted Innocent Chukwuma’s feminist principles and called on more men to become allies in the fight against patriarchy and misogyny, emphasising the importance of solidarity, responsibility, and active support for women’s empowerment.
Policy Engagement: Learning with Femi Obidare
From the halls of power to community organising, policy begins with people. Our latest YAL Learning Session featured Femi Obidare, a senior programme officer(Governance) at the Policy Innovation Centre, who unpacked the Policy Engagement in Nigeria and how youth can influence decision-making. Mr Obidare took the Yal Associates through the rudiments of policy creation, real-world policy successes, strategic advocacy tools, and how to collectively make their voices heard in decision-making processes.
YAL 2025 Mentors Unveiled
In line with raising thought leaders, we introduced the mentor-mentee program under the YAL initiative, starting with the 2025 cohort. From experienced leaders across development, policy, climate, and the media sectors, these changemakers will be guiding YAL associates for the next 8 months, through their leadership journey and equipping them with real-world strategies for impact. Our Mentors are looking forward to pouring into their mentees with the needed tools, guidance, and network they need to thrive.
Please join us in welcoming these astute professionals.
Volunteer of the Month
As a YAL Associate and team lead of his cohort, Precious Akintunde has proven that commitment yields results. We have witnessed how Precious actively supports and leads his cohort, mobilising young people and ensuring they are represented in discussions and convenings that drive youth engagement.
According to Precious, since joining the Youth Activators Lab, his professional and personal life has continued to evolve, and the learning sessions have further propelled his growth as a climate advocate.
Join us in applauding Precious' commitment to living a life of impact🎊
Have you seen our latest resources?
Since participating in the YAL program, I have developed critical skills and gained valuable insights that have enhanced my ability to advocate for change. I have learned to engage stakeholders more effectively, creating meaningful partnerships, such as with the Ingawa Association of the Deaf. This collaboration has enabled my team and me to push for significant improvements in Deaf Education, Employment, and Empowerment. Now, I am better equipped to mobilise resources, influence policy, and create a sustainable impact. The program has empowered me to transform my ideas into actionable plans, making a tangible difference in the lives of those I serve. - Ibrahim Tukur (YAL 2024 cohort)
From 10 learning sessions to $10,500 raised in external grants, the Youth Activators Lab (YAL) 2024 cohort didn’t just learn, they led, and are still leading in their various sectors, just like Ibrahim. The report isn't just a recap of their activities, but a reflection of NGYouthSDGs' commitment to redefining leadership and building the capacity of young changemakers across Nigeria.
👇Read how 33 youth from 18 states are driving SDG progress and mobilising change at the community level.
The Climate Action for Stronger Naija project may have ended. Still, the impact and success stories will stay with us for a long time to stir more conversations that align with Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDcs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). Our Voices of Impact Report, capturing real stories, real challenges, and real climate solutions from community leaders across Nigeria, is a testament to what the average Nigerian Youth is capable of when equipped with the right resources.
It’s not just a report, it’s a roadmap for locally led climate action driven by Youth CSOs.
Twitter Space: What’s the Deal with LAPA?
In commemoration of Earth Day, we hosted a dynamic Twitter Space titled "Local Solutions, Global Impact" to break down the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) and why community voices must shape climate solutions. CSO reps from Ondo, Enugu, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states shared their impact, challenges, and how Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs) are advancing Nigeria’s climate agenda from the grassroots up. Grassroots engagement is how climate policy goes from paper to action.
Yet to download and study our Youth and Civil Society Organisations Guide to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP)? You are just a click away
If you also missed our 2024 Impact report, we have got you covered using the link below.
External Opportunities
Disclaimer: We do not claim any ownership or legal rights to the external opportunities shared. They are provided solely to promote meaningful engagement of young people.
World Food Forum (WFF) Transformative Research Challenge 2025 for young Researchers (USD 10 000 in research funding) Deadline 9th May 2025
WTO-ITC Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund 2025 for Women-led businesses. Deadline: 18 May 2025
Africa CDC Epidemiology Track Fellowship Programme 2025 for public health professionals. (Fully Funded) Deadline: 21 May 2025
MCW Global-Kofi Annan Foundation Young Leaders Conference 2025 for young East Africans. Deadline: May 23rd, 2025
The Brandtech Group AI for Good Scholarship to attend the 2025 One Young World Summit in Munich, Germany (Fully Funded). Deadline: 26 May 2025
One Young World-Holcim Building for Peace Scholarship 2025 (Fully Funded to attend the OYW2025 Summit in Munich, Germany.) Deadline: 27 May 2025
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)2026 for Master’s degree study in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country. (Fully Funded) Deadline 4 June 2025
The Intel Community Reach Program 2025 for Innovative AI solutions. Deadline 13 June 2025
D-Prize Challenge 2026 for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty ($USD 20,000) Deadline: 29 June 2025
Dear Friend,
It’s a wrap on April - From championing youth leadership at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, to spotlighting powerful community stories through the Voices of Impact and YAL 2024 reports, April reminded us of the incredible power of young people when given the tools, platforms, and trust to lead.
As we fully embrace the new month, we’re energized by what’s ahead: more conversations, more collaborations, and even more Youth-Led Action.
If you’re passionate about equipping and empowering youth to lead change, or you know an organisation that is, we’d love to collaborate.
Here’s how you can help:
💰 For donations:
Account Number: 1214508474
Account Name: Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative
Bank: Zenith Bank
📧 Want to meet with us? Send an email to programs@nigerianyouthsdgs.org
Stay Connected with Us:
Dear Friend,
What are your initial impressions after reading the Green Letters for the first time? We would love to know your thoughts, so feel free to write back.