iLEAD AFRICA

Today, during our weekly team meeting, we dedicated a special session to celebrate the incredible women of in commemoration of International Women’s Day. We recognized their dedication, leadership, resilience, and the invaluable contributions they make to advancing our mission of social impact, civic engagement, and community development.

At , we believe that empowering women is essential to building inclusive and sustainable societies. The women within our team continue to inspire change through their commitment, innovation, and passion for creating positive impact across communities.

We celebrate their achievements, appreciate their hard work, and reaffirm our commitment to promoting gender equality, supporting women’s leadership, and creating opportunities for women and girls to thrive.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the amazing women driving change and shaping a better future. 💜✨

Earlier today, our team at participated in the Project Steering Committee meeting for the “Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria” Project, supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (), and Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas ().

As a project partner, iLEAD AFRICA remains committed to strengthening responsible migration governance, promoting safe migration pathways, and empowering young people with accurate information to make informed decisions. The meeting provided an important platform to review progress, strengthen collaboration among partners, and align efforts toward improving migration management and protection mechanisms in Nigeria.

During the engagement, we also highlighted our innovative digital solution, , an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide young people with reliable information on safe migration, risks of irregular migration, and access to protection services. Through technology and civic engagement, we continue to support awareness, prevention, and protection for vulnerable populations across the region.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2 billion people globally rely on drinking water sources contaminated with f***l matter, increasing their vulnerability to waterborne diseases and preventable health conditions. This global reality mirrors the situation in many rapidly growing communities where infrastructure has not kept pace with population expansion.

In New Nyanya Gbagyi District (Guduwayi), Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, our community needs assessment revealed significant development gaps. Residents face unstable electricity due to insufficient transformers, an overstretched Primary Healthcare Centre lacking adequate personnel and equipment, poor road infrastructure with only one major access route, inadequate access to clean water, absence of functional security streetlights, and poor waste management systems resulting in indiscriminate dumping.

Through the Project, facilitated community dialogues, conducted physical infrastructure assessments, documented citizens’ priorities, and developed practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen accountability and participatory governance.

We call on the Karu Local Government Authority and relevant state agencies to urgently prioritize healthcare upgrades, electricity expansion, road rehabilitation, water system improvements, security lighting, and structured waste management.

We sincerely appreciate the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund () for supporting this critical intervention and amplifying community voices.

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In our continuous effort to promote accountability and citizen participation in local governance, Our team recently conducted an engagement visit to Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, as part of the Project under the Be The Change Initiative. During the visit, our team met with the Local Government Secretariat, where discussions focused on strengthening collaboration, advancing Open Government principles, and exploring digital governance solutions.

Prior to the Secretariat meeting, we carried out a community needs assessment in Farin Yashi, engaging directly with village leaders, women representatives, and other community stakeholders. Key challenges identified include lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate educational facilities, and limited electricity supply. The community shared firsthand experiences, highlighting the urgent need for interventions that improve health, education, and livelihoods.

Our observations confirmed the community’s readiness to engage constructively and the Local Government’s openness to collaboration. Recommendations moving forward include the provision of safe water sources, enhancement of educational infrastructure, and organizing a Town Hall Meeting for direct citizen-government dialogue.

remains committed to fostering inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance, ensuring that grassroots voices inform decision-making and development priorities. We sincerely appreciate the support of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund () in making this engagement and community assessment possible.

We extend our warmest wishes for a blessed Ramadan to our muslim community, partners, and supporters across Africa and beyond.

May this sacred month bring peace, renewed faith, compassion, and strength to continue serving humanity with integrity and purpose. As we reflect, pray, and give, may we also recommit ourselves to justice, unity, and sustainable development.

Ramadan Mubarak. May Allah accept our fasts, prayers, and good deeds, and grant us abundant mercy and blessings.