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Women Leading the Change • Participant Spotlight

Ms.

Executive Director Maiduguri, Nigeria Group A WLC Mentor

I am a committed development practitioner and peacebuilder whose work is deeply shaped by my lived experiences and close engagement with conflict-affected and underserved communities. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Advocacy for Resilience and Innovative Solutions for Youths, Women, and Children (ARISE-Youths, Women, and Children), a grassroots organization based in Maiduguri, Nigeria, established to respond to the needs and realities of youths, women, and children. With an academic background in Peace and Conflict Resolution, I intentionally bridge theory with real-life community experiences. My journey into development work has been shaped by years of hands-on volunteering with various organizations, where I supported initiatives focused on protection, education, and women’s empowerment, gaining practical insight into the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. My background in media and public engagement also informs my passion for advocacy. As a former on-air personality with TinCity FM Radio, Jos, I used storytelling, dialogue, and expert engagement to drive public sensitization, civic education, and social change. This experience continues to influence my approach to development work—particularly my commitment to amplifying community voices and translating complex issues into messages people can understand and act on. Through ARISE, I focus on strengthening youth and women’s leadership, promoting peaceful coexistence, advancing climate resilience, improving food security and livelihoods, and safeguarding the rights and well-being of children. I believe strongly in leadership rooted in accountability, partnership, and service, and I am committed to building locally driven solutions that uphold dignity, foster resilience, and create long-term impact.

Mentor Modalities
Available for mentorship within the WLC community.
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Ms.
Education
PGD
Age range
25–34
Organization
Advocacy for Resilience and Innovative Solutions for the Youth, Women, and Children Empowerment (ARISE)
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Ms.
Ms.
Ms.
Ms.
Ms.
Leadership focus
Key issues & motivation
Key issue(s)
I am passionate about women and youth empowerment, inclusive governance, and community resilience. I am deeply committed to promoting women’s participation in leadership and decision-making, ensuring that their voices are heard in policy and program development. I am equally passionate about child protection, education, and livelihood development, particularly in conflict-affected and underserved communities, as these areas are foundational for long-term social and economic transformation.
Motivation
My motivation for participating in the Women Leading the Change Programme (WLC – Cohort 1) was driven by my commitment to advancing women’s participation in governance and empowerment, particularly within fragile and conflict-affected contexts. As a grassroots leader working closely with women and youths, I saw the programme as an opportunity to strengthen my leadership capacity and deepen my ability to support women to engage meaningfully in decision-making spaces. Throughout my participation, I was motivated by the opportunity to learn alongside other women leaders, exchange experiences, and gain practical insights on inclusive leadership, advocacy, and governance. The programme enhanced my understanding of the structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s participation in governance and equipped me with tools to challenge these barriers through community engagement, mentorship, and advocacy.
Leadership philosophy
My leadership approach is grounded in service, inclusivity, and accountability. I believe in empowering women and youths to actively participate in governance and decision-making processes while leading collaboratively and adaptively in complex environments. I am committed to ethical leadership that fosters resilience, partnership, and sustainable community-driven impact.
Research project
Women in Goverance
Women’s participation in governance remains a critical challenge in Nigeria despite constitutional guarantees of equality and the central role women play in social and economic development. Although women constitute nearly half of Nigeria’s population, their representation in elective and appointive positions remains disproportionately low. Structural barriers such as cultural norms, political violence, economic constraints, limited access to party structures, and weak enforcement of gender-responsive policies continue to marginalize women from decision-making spaces. This initiative on Women in Governance seeks to address these gaps by strengthening women’s political awareness, leadership capacity, and participation in democratic processes. The programme focuses on civic education, voter engagement, leadership development, and advocacy for inclusive governance frameworks. It also emphasizes collaboration with key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, electoral institutions, community leaders, and the media, to create an enabling environment for women’s political participation. By equipping women with knowledge of electoral processes, governance structures, and leadership skills, the initiative aims to amplify women’s voices and influence in public decision-making. Ultimately, promoting women’s inclusion in governance is not only a matter of equity but also a prerequisite for credible elections, accountable leadership, and sustainable democratic development in Nigeria.
Target beneficiaries
Women and young women aspiring to participate in politics and governance Female voters, community leaders, and grassroots women groups Women-led civil society organisations and advocacy groups Communities with historically low female political participation, particularly underserved and rural areas Youth and women-focused civic and governance networks
Expected impact
Increased awareness and understanding of governance and electoral processes among women Improved capacity of women to engage in leadership, advocacy, and political participation Strengthened confidence and visibility of women in civic and political spaces Enhanced community support for women’s inclusion in governance Contribution to more inclusive, credible, and representative democratic processes
Achievements
Evidence of leadership & engagement
Achievements / recognitions
Founder and Executive Director of the Advocacy for Resilience and Innovative Solutions for Youths, Women, and Children (ARISE), a grassroots organization advancing youth and women’s empowerment, child protection, and community resilience in Maiduguri, Nigeria. I also serve as the Safeguarding, Gender, and Inclusion Lead for the Northeast Network of Youth-Led Organizations in Nigeria, providing regional leadership on inclusive, accountable, and survivor-centered practice. Selected as a participant in the Women Leading the Change Programme (WLC, Cohort 1), where I strengthened my leadership, governance, and advocacy competencies.
Meaningful change
Led community-based advocacy initiatives promoting youth and women participation in agriculture and livelihoods, directly improving access to resources and skills for vulnerable populations. Facilitated child education and literacy initiatives in conflict-affected communities, increasing school engagement and access to learning materials for marginalized children. Used my media platform at TinCity FM Radio, Jos to conduct awareness campaigns on human rights, civic engagement, and social change, amplifying community voices and inspiring action. Mentored young women in leadership and governance, supporting them to take active roles in decision-making within their communities.
Networks / associations
Women Leading the Change (WLC) Alumni Network – Cohort 1 Reintegration Technical Working Group North-east Nigeria Cordinated Climate change response Network Borno North-east community Engagement, accountability and Localization Working Group (CEAL WG) Digital Literacy Working Group (BAY state) Borno Women-led Organisation (BONWOC) Network of Youth-led Organisation North-east (NELY-ONE)
Evidence record
Verified outcomes after WLC
Verified outcomes will appear here as A2WG reviews and publishes them.