About the NYFF

More than 70 percent of Nigeria’s population is made up of young people, with estimations of continuous growth in the next few decades. Given this significant number, it is evident that the future growth of Nigeria is linked to having an educated, skilled, healthy, and politically active youthful population that is involved in the development of long-term policy strategies. 

The participation of Nigerian youth in leadership and politics has evolved overtime. Coming from a legacy of active student unionism (1980s), where universities served as spaces for intellectual debates and youth expression, to a period of youth organizing aided by new media (2010-present), the Nigerian youth ecosystem has experienced a reawakening of some sorts.

The #NotTooYoungToRun campaign (2016- 2018) and the noticeable increase in youth agitation and awareness of socio-economic and political indices in Nigeria are symbolic representations of the increasing leadership capabilities of young Nigerians.

About NYFF
About NYFF 2

Given a myriad of social challenges and policy failures that young Nigerians contend with, they have become increasingly poised to lead powerful organizations, institutions and groups, having built capacity from leading change at a social level.

The African Leadership Institute report, “An Abundance of Young African Leaders but No Seat at the Table,” points out that Africa does not suffer a lack of young leaders However, many young Africans lack representation in the corridors of power. According to the report, about 700,000 young Africans have already been exposed to a level of selective leadership initiative, implying that the challenge is in harnessing the innovation, creativity and potential of these young leaders. 

As witnessed in recent youth agitations and protests, it is evident that young Nigerians are already exploring alternative leadership and funding models aided by digital technology.

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Catalyst Grants

However, some of these agitations have made evident some leadership, sustainability and organizational gaps within the Nigerian youth ecosystem.

Noticeable among them are weak negotiation and consensus-building methods, unclear exit strategy, inability to identify intergenerational allies, and a limited capacity to facilitate long-term engagement with existing governance or political structures. In addition, efforts by stakeholders in the Nigerian youth ecosystem are still compromised by a preference to work in silos, leading to a duplication of efforts and unsustainable results. 

Consequently, LEAP Africa in partnership with MacArthur Foundation,  Ford Foundation and Luminate Group established the Nigeria Youth Futures fund (NYFF) to provide targeted capacity building, youth ecosystem building and financial support to burgeoning youth-led movements in Nigeria, in order to sustain their work locally and facilitate opportunities for learning.

The NYFF Project, initiated in 2021, is a five-year initiative dedicated to nurturing youth leadership and activism in  Nigeria by fostering outcomes-driven policy engagements and inclusive resourcing for medium and long-term national development. The NYFF embodies the collective determination to invest in the potential of Nigerian youth. By facilitating policy engagements and providing a platform for their voices and ideas to thrive, the NYFF continues to pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive Nigeria.

NYFF OBJECTIVES

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Group
The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) NYFF - programs 3

Objective 1

Equip young people to re-imagine, co-create, frame, and engage in national and regional policy development to drive evidence-based advocacy.
The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) NYFF - programs 2

Objective 2

Empower and support youth activists/organizations by building their capacity and providing small grants to enhance their development, effectiveness, and growth by leveraging ICT tools to contribute to social change.
The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) NYFF - programs 3

Objective 3

Engage young people through online and media platforms to foster collaboration, learning, and contribution to reimagining the Nigeria of the future.
The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Group

Advisory Committee Members

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Group 37
The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 8 Chinenye-Uwanaka

Chinenye Uwanaka

Managing Partner, The Firma Advisory

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 6 Femi-Taiwo

Femi Taiwo

Founding Partner FIT Africa

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The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 7 Dabesaki_Mac-Ikemenjima

Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima

Senior Program Officer, West Africa, Ford Foundation

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 2 Shettima-Kole

Kole Shettima

Co-director, On Nigeria; Director, Nigeria Office, Macarthur Foundation

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Toyin Akininyi

Toyin Akininyi

Vice President, Africa, Luminate

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 5 Iyinoluwa-Aboyeji

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

Managing Partner, The Future Africa

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Mr. Sam Ekweme

Mr. Sam Ekweme

Adviser to President Buhari on Budget and National Planning

Kehinde Ayeni_NYFF

Kehinde Ayeni

Executive Director, LEAP Africa

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 1 Zainab-Haruna

Zainab Haruna

Programme Director, Step Up Nigeria

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 4 Mary-Musa-Picture

Mary Omoyeme Musa

Secretary-General, Network of Women with Disabilities

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 3 Modupe-Adetiba

Modupe Adetiba

Executive President, National Female Students Association of Nigeria (NFSAN)

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Group

Project Secretariat

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Group 37
Amabelle Nwakanma_NYFF

Amabelle Nwakanma

Director of Programmes

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The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Ikenna Ogbudimkpa

Ikenna Ogbudimkpa

Project Lead

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The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 9 maimuna

Afolabi Kolawole Kamaldeen

Grant and MERL Specialist

The Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) 10 maimuna

Maimuna Muhammad Sani

Community and Youth Engagement Coordinator 1

Richard Chidiebere_NYFF

Richard Chidiebere

MERL Associate

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Claire Onyekachi_NYFF

Claire Onyekachi

Communications & PR Intern

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