Nigerians Dedicated To Grassroots Initiatives, Says TFT Boss

Leadership Team mentor and 3rd Generation Director of Training for Transformation (TFT), Talent Ntombi Nyathi, has commended Nigerians for their exceptional dedication and grassroots initiatives in helping compatriots gain practical skills and live more purposeful lives.

Nigeria has joined 63 other countries in adopting TFT, a global movement tailored to mentoring and equipping citizens to become agents of positive change within their communities and society.

At an interactive session of TFT in Lagos, Nyathi pledged continued support to ensure more Nigerians have access to life-changing training opportunities that will empower them to address pressing national and community challenges.

A statement from the TFT media team quoted Nyathi as saying, “We are building people’s capacity to grow. They are now exporting and refining goods such as plantain flour instead of selling raw commodities.

Change starts small and grows. Transformation is not a project but a process. TFT works with the deprived and those on the periphery of society,” she explained.

TFT, founded in South Africa, offers free training and mentoring based on the country’s needs. It also equips participants with skills in leadership, family life, education, the economy, the environment, and governance.

Nyathi revealed that under her leadership, TFT expanded from 21 to 63 countries, with Nigeria among the newest members.

She also disclosed that initially reserved for women, the programme was restructured to include men, provided they had at least three years of verifiable experience in social change.

Although the first attempt to train men ended in disappointment—many absconded—she noted that a Nigerian participant sent through the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) distinguished himself, restoring confidence in male inclusion.

One of the Nigerian facilitators, Eseoghene Ajuyah, disclosed that five TFT training sessions have already been conducted in Nigeria—two in Lagos and three in Owo—with the next planned for early 2026.

“Since COVID, we no longer take participants to South Africa. The training is now held locally, aligned with Nigeria’s realities. We deal with issues from self-awareness and family stability to community security, leadership, gender, spirituality, environment, and the economy,” Ajuyah said.

Another facilitator, Pastor (Mrs) Bernard Sowho Elizabeth, emphasised that TFT’s ultimate goal in Nigeria is to reach national leaders.

“We believe the day will come when, instead of holding retreats in hotels, our leaders will come to Sister’s City for training. There, we will work on their hearts, awakening compassion and transforming governance,” she said.

Many Nigerians who have benefitted from TFT are already driving grassroots initiatives. Among them is Mrs. Tosin Adebowale-Oladosu, who established Sister’s City in Owo. In this centre, young women facing poverty are housed and trained in food processing, tailoring, baking, packaging for export, and life skills development.

Through such initiatives, TFT continues to nurture grassroots organisations, building communities’ capacity to defend their rights, manage their resources, and lead their development.