African Youth & Adolescent Network on Population and Development (AfriYAN) Nigeria has inaugurated 7 new Executives to lead the Network for the next two years (2024/2025).
The African Youth & Adolescents Network on Population and Development was established in Nigeria in 2016 by the United Nations Population Fund with the mandate to increase meaningful youth participation in Africa’s development while addressing the intersecting challenges in the lives of young people. The network is comprised of youth-led and youth-focused organisations working in the areas of sexual reproductive health & rights (SRHR), gender, education, human rights, governance, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and wellbeing.
Adek Bassey Ozaveshe was elected as the new National Coordinator of AfriYAN Nigeria. Meet Adek Bassey, the new National Coordinator of AfriYAN Nigeria. Adek is a distinguished Public Health professional and youth engagement & development strategist with over 13 years of experience driving impactful initiatives in Nigeria. With a proven track record of empowering thousands of young people, Adek has fostered a culture of inclusivity, youth-led change, and community-driven impact.
Fecility Nneoma, a public health practitioner, and firm SDGs advocate was elected as the Deputy National Coordinator. Before her election, Felicity had served as the Communications Officer for AfriYAN Nigeria since December 2021. Felicity is currently serving as the FP2030 Nigeria Youth Focal Point. Felicity is the Technical assistant for the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP).
Aishat Usman, who was elected as the Program Manager, is a dedicated youth worker with over six years of experience in both local and international NGOs, focusing on public advocacy, sexual education, and empowerment projects. She recently collaborated with UNDP on the EQUANOMICS initiative, a global effort aimed at making fiscal policies work for gender equality and mobilizing financing for sustainable development goals through public finance and fiscal governance.
Khalid Ahmed Kumo, who was elected as Communication Manager before his election serves as Executive Secretary Governance since 2021. Khalid is an advocate for youth inclusion, employment, and human rights, with a background in civil engineering. He is a Legislative Assistant to the Speaker of, the House of Representatives and a former member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.
Aisha Sulaiman Ladan joins AfriYAN Nigeria’s Executive Team as the Executive Secretary for Education. Aisha is a vibrant young woman dedicated to making a difference in her community. With five years of experience in the development sector, she works to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and educate young people about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Godwin Alechenu, who was elected as the Executive Secretary for Health, is a certified clinical psychologist at the VGADA Detox Center. He is a dedicated youth advocate and an experienced consultant. His areas of expertise include trauma management, addiction, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Ameenah Bint Muhammad, who was elected as Executive Secretary Entrepreneurship & Employment is an international facilitator, women’s rights advocate, entrepreneur, and writer with over six years of experience in the development sector. She is the founder and Executive Director of Connected Hands for Family Health and Empowerment Initiative (CHAFHEIN) and works as a consultant facilitator with NGUVU Collective, focusing on empowering survivors of violence and out-of-school girls.
In his opening remarks, Shamwil Hassan, the Chairman of AfriYAN Nigeria’s Board of Trustees, emphasized the diverse backgrounds of AfriYAN members as a strength that facilitates networking and connections across the country. He expressed his hope that the new leadership will inspire the next generation. “AfriYAN Nigeria is not only a network for the current generation but also for future generations to come. Each member of this network has a role to play. Although our contributions may go unrecognized now, we will be remembered as young people who sacrificed our time, efforts, and resources to ensure that the voices of young people are heard in decision-making processes at all levels.”
Dr Babatunde Adelekan, ASRH/HIV Analyst at UNFPA Nigeria, praised the outgoing executives and reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting African Nigeria. “We will continue to support AfriYAN Nigeria’s initiatives, and I want to assure you that our doors are always open.”
Elizabeth Talatu Williams, the immediate past National Coordinator, expressed her gratitude to the former Executives, the Network’s Board members, and all members. She urged AfriYAN Nigeria members to support the new Executives and reaffirmed her commitment to assisting them.
Additionally, she highlighted a comprehensive overview of AfriYAN Nigeria’s history, structure, and achievements, noting the network’s growth from 30 to over 100 youth-led organizations. She detailed the outgoing administration’s activities, including various campaigns and partnerships, and emphasized the need for better funding and support. The meeting concluded with a call for the incoming executives to continue the network’s mission.
Adek Bassey Ozaveshe, in her acceptance speech, expressed her appreciation for the support received from UNFPA since its establishment in 2017, as well as from AfriYAN members both in Nigeria and across the West African region. She also commended the outgoing executive under Elizabeth Talatu’s leadership for their remarkable efforts. “I am amazed by the progress made and the wonderful recommendations for the future. Thank you for sustaining AfriYAN Nigeria’s structure and credibility, demonstrating our network’s dedication to addressing health, education, employment, and humanitarian issues.
“As your National Coordinator, I pledge to work tirelessly to earn your trust. Our administration will focus on building an efficient coordination structure and harnessing the strengths and capacities of every member. We will work together to establish a unified network, streamline collaboration, make data-driven decisions, empower state chapters, and scale our impact. Let us embark on this journey together with hope, optimism, and a commitment to creating a better future for ourselves and the generations to come,” she added.
