2023 TOYP Honourees

Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim

Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim is a political and public affairs analyst, a registered nurse, a published and award-winning writer, and an advocate for good governance and sustainable development. As an outstanding and active student leader, he held various positions during his course of study and passionately volunteered for the Youth Progressive Front (YPF). Ringim has an extensive writing portfolio, with articles published in various newspapers and magazines. He has been recognized and awarded for his outstanding exploits in leadership, most notably as the youngest winner of the Campus Journalism Awards’ ‘Syndicated Writer of the Year’ award for two consecutive years.

Ringim is a passionate advocate for youth participation in politics and governance and believes in proposing policy alternatives. He currently works with the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority and coordinates the Research and Documentation Unit of the newly established Kaduna Office of Resilience. Ringim runs a blog and is pursuing a degree in Economics via the Distance Learning Center of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he maintains a first-class CGPA.

Ringim has been enlisted for the 38th edition of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Nigeria Award in the Personal Improvement category, after beating over 1900 competitors. His passion for good governance, sustainable development, and youth participation in politics and governance makes him a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria’s development space.

AFOLAYAN Taiwo Ibrahim

AFOLAYAN Taiwo Ibrahim, also known as ATI, is a renowned award-winning Art & IT Consultant, Humanitarian, and Senior Analytics Delivery Specialist for Ernst & Young – Nigeria. Taiwo is the Co-Founder of Argitech Limited and the Editor-in-Chief of The Fashionistar Africa, with a focus on achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). He is of Igbomina-Yoruba descent and hails from Irepodun Local Government in Kwara State, Nigeria.

Taiwo has received training from various prestigious institutions, including Huawei University, Quantic School of Business and Technology, Scholars International Institute of Technology, and Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency. He is a member of the African Data Engineering and Science Association (ADESA), the Data Science Network (DSN), and a Certified Management Consultant.

Taiwo is a member of several organizations such as Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network, Global Goodwill Ambassador, YouthLead, Internet Society, Amnesty International, United African Organization for Literacy Development, African Youth Union Commission, African CleanUp Initiative, Small Business Network of Nigeria, Lagos State Volunteer Corp, Global Entrepreneurship Network, World Youth Forum, World Business Angels Investment Forum, YALI Alumni of the US Department of State, and Young Business Leaders of Nigeria.

Taiwo’s humanitarian work has been extensive. He has volunteered for organizations such as United Nations Volunteers, ROTA Volunteers, and Junior Chamber International (JCI) where he contributes his quota to national growth and global development. He is the Founder of Volunteers Edge, initiated Skills4Youth towards achieving United Nations Global Goals on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) in Nigeria and beyond. Taiwo has trained over 500 youths on Digital Marketing for Personal Branding and tutored over 400 pupils on Information Communication Technology (ICT) at Itolo Girls’ Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos-Nigeria. He also trained over 50 youths in graphic design as the Lead Instructor at Argitech Academy, to support entrepreneurship in the Surulere community (Orile-Iganmu, Coker, and Aguda) of Lagos, Nigeria.

Taiwo has received several awards and nominations for his exemplary work, including the 2019 The Entrepreneur Africa Awards Prize for Youth Empowerment in Lagos, Nigeria, and the 2021 Humanitarian Awards Global for Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year in Accra, Ghana. Taiwo enjoys focusing on the topics of entrepreneurship, self-development, and has a strong passion for youth empowerment.

Alamu Azeez

Alamu Azeez is a social entrepreneur and volunteer with over 7 years of experience in community development, public life, education, and communication. He began his academic journey as the best pupil in his primary school, earning him a tuition-free and feeding-covered scholarship for three consecutive sessions. Azeez went on to earn a National Diploma Certificate in Public Administration in 2017, emerging as the best student in his department at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He continued his education at the University of Ilorin, where he became the first student in over 40 years to graduate with a first-class grade from the Department of Political Science.

Azeez is passionate about using academic research to address public issues, and he volunteers as a Research Assistant with Brain Builders Youth Development Initiatives (BBYDI). He is also a renowned educational consultant who has helped hundreds of students gain admission to their tertiary institution of choice through academic tutelage, guidance, and mentorship. He founded Community Development Initiatives (CDI), a social organization that retraces the lost value system in teenagers and youths to enhance academic career development and caution deviant behaviors.

Azeez has held several leadership positions in different student and development organizations, including JCI Nigeria Collegiate and DSA, among others. He is currently a Senior Editor with Team Plato Reports and has led the production of different magazines as editor-in-chief. He is also a lead tutor at the Department of Political Science and Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin, where he consistently tutors students in courses related to political science, administrative management, and public policy.

Alamu Azeez’s achievements have been recognized by several media outlets, including Tribune Newspaper and Legit.NG. He is known as “Mr. Nigeria” due to his patriotic attachment to his country. Azeez is a man of great virtues and excellence, and he is trustworthy, honest, and passionate about making a positive impact on his community and beyond.

Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye

Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye is a leading strategy and transformation professional with over 14 years of experience. He has held leadership roles as the Head of Strategy Groups in the capital markets, insurance, and oil & gas industries, and has worked for KPMG, PwC, Phillips Consulting, and C2G Consulting, leading strategy projects across sub-Saharan Africa. Ayo has advised over 130 companies, governments, and development institutions, including the AfDB, World Bank, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Bristow Group, Actis, Axa, and many other large and SME organizations with a transaction value of over $120 million. He has also provided advice on strategy and execution, change management, process improvement, due diligence, and mergers and acquisitions.

Ayo is also a serial entrepreneur and founder, as well as an advocate for good governance and the growth of MSMEs. He founded the Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp, a non-profit platform that has helped enhance the business management skills of MSMEs and contributed to SDG8. He has directly supported over 6,000 SMEs and by extension over 22,000 employees of the SMEs via the Bootcamp and through Caladium Consulting, a firm he founded to provide MSMEs with access to first-class professional services. Ayo also leads the team at FedhaGap, a company that leverages technology tools to provide solutions to the challenges MSMEs face with working capital adequacy and inventory turnover.

Ayo is a thought leader in strategy, economy, MSMEs, governance, and responsible citizenship. He has a certificate in disruptive strategy from Harvard Business School and a master’s degree in political science. His thoughts are regularly featured on global and local media, including BBC, Al-Jazeera, DW Germany, South African Business Radio, Spice FM Kenya, Channels, Arise TV, AIT, Punch Newspapers, and more. Ayo has received and been nominated for numerous awards, including the BusinessDay Newspapers Awards for Top 100 SMEs and SME Enablers 2023, Hajia Gambo Sawaba Award for Community Action 2022, The Ooni of Ife Royal Youth Fellowship Awards, 2020; and The National Quality Order of Merit Awards, 2023.

Ayo mentors over 60 youths in 9 African countries, USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He can be reached via @AyoBankole on Twitter or @AyoBankolee on Instagram, as well as through @LagosSMEbootcamp or Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp on all social media platforms.

Bakare Mubarak

Bakare Mubarak is a towering figure in the fashion industry, both figuratively and literally. At 6ft 9in (2.06m), he is the tallest model in Sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the most recognizable faces in the Nigerian modeling scene. Beyond modeling, Bakare is also an actor, influencer, entrepreneur, and beauty pageant titleholder. He was crowned Mr. Kwara International in 2015/2016, and has since used his unique status to promote African culture and art while incorporating humanitarianism, tourism, lifestyle, and fashion.

Bakare’s career has taken him across the world, working with renowned brands such as Fashion TV, MTN, African Fashion Week London and Nigeria, Sustainable Fashion Week New York, and Femi Aina New York, among others. He was appointed as the 6th Region Global Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of Business Liason and Education/Culture Worldwide, leveraging his position to promote African culture and art on a global scale.

Bakare is also an articulate public speaker and has spoken at various youth engagement platforms and symposiums, including the Africa NXT, where he spoke about “Telling the Africa Travel Story” and reshaping narratives. He was recently appointed the Goodwill Ambassador to the World Fashion Exhibition (Africa is Now) in Los Angeles in June 2022 and Paris in October 2022. Bakare was also appointed a member of the International Preparatory Committee for the World Fashion Week Macau China 2024.

Bakare’s impact extends beyond the modeling and fashion industry, as he was invited as a special guest by the USA Consulate to a reception in honor of the participants of the International Visitor Leadership Program on Promoting Economic Growth & Trade in the Fashion Industry. He was also invited to the Italian Consulate for the Art in Climate Change Global Exhibition and the launch of the first Virtual Gallery.

Bakare Mubarak is a trailblazer and a cultural ambassador who uses his height to elevate the African culture and art on the world stage. His impact on the youth and populace at large is immeasurable, and his work continues to inspire and motivate the next generation of African creatives.

Bisola Alabi

Bisola Alabi is a highly motivated and passionate entrepreneur with a strong focus on using technology to empower women and close the gender gap. She is the founder of Heels & Tech, a revolutionary platform that provides high-quality tech courses to women and men all over the world, helping them to increase their income and achieve their career goals. With a mission to change the world through technology, Bisola has trained over 10,000 women from 100+ countries in various technical courses in both paid and unpaid classes. These courses have resulted in a total increase of $10.05 million in earnings for her students, which demonstrates the transformative power of education.

At Heels & Tech, Bisola is committed to creating a brighter future for women and families everywhere. She has helped to close the gender gap in tech by upskilling women with high-quality tech courses, giving them the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Her platform has transformed the lives of thousands of women, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their full potential.

Bisola’s passion for empowering women has been recognized both locally and internationally. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the “Top 25 Women in Tech in Africa” by TechCabal. Her work has also been featured in major news outlets such as Forbes, CNN, and BBC.

Through her tireless work and dedication, Bisola Alabi is creating a world where women are equal partners in the technology industry, and where everyone has the opportunity to learn, earn and grow. She is an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a difference in the world, and her vision for a brighter future is one that we should all strive to achieve.

Blessing Okojie Eze

Blessing Okojie Eze is a renowned human rights activist, children’s advocate, and conflict resolution specialist. She is the founder of Women of Inestimable Values Foundation, a registered NGO that is dedicated to fighting against gender inequality, injustice, and abuse of human rights. Blessing holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Ibadan and a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. She is also a fellow at the Organisation of Economists and Business Analysts of Nigeria and the Institute of Managerial Economists of Nigeria.

Blessing is a well-known author of two best-selling books, “Curbing Domestic Violence in Africa” and “Living Above Poverty.” Her impact has been felt in many spheres, and she has been recognized with numerous awards. She was nominated as one of the women making an impact in Africa by We for Good Organisation in 2022 and was selected as a reader for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, organized by the US government.

Blessing’s passion for fighting against human rights abuse has been the driving force behind her foundation, Women of Inestimable Values. She has consistently volunteered her time, money, and professionalism, providing succor for children, teenagers, and youths in low-income and underserved communities. Through her foundation, she provides free legal services for victims of abuse, empowerment through skill development, and shelter for street children.

Blessing’s advocacy and defense of human rights, especially the rights of children and the abused in the society, has yielded positive results. Beyond providing free legal services, she creates community awareness about child abuse and educates people about their fundamental human rights through various platforms, including local and international newspapers and television talk shows.

Blessing is a voice for the voiceless, always ready to fight for victims of human rights abuse. Her unwavering dedication and hard work have earned her the recognition and admiration of many. She is indeed a true inspiration to young people everywhere.

Hadji Kwame Ahmed

Meet Hadji Kwame Ahmed, a pan-African multiple award-winning youth advocate, social and community development enthusiast, child protection thinker, serial entrepreneur, career mentorship coach, and culinary expert with over 15 years of experience. He is the founder of Agents of Change Africa, an advocacy network aimed at addressing the challenges of poverty, quality education, and decent work and economic growth in low-income and vulnerable communities across Africa.

Through his Street2School project, he has sent over 390 street children from low-income and vulnerable communities to school and distributed school materials to over 1000 children. During the coronavirus pandemic, he initiated a massive awareness campaign in low-income and vulnerable communities across Lagos to educate them on the precautionary measures against the spread of the virus. His Relief/No Hungry Project has gone on to feed over 2700 families and over 4000 individuals, and his Operation Feed the 5000 project shares already prepared meals at strategic locations across Lagos to ease the effects of the lockdown.

In addition, his organization has organized impactful communication campaigns on drug abuse, mental health, unplanned parenthood, and urban literacy. They have also provided free ICT training for youths in low-income and vulnerable communities in Africa, organized vocational training with internship opportunities, and are preparing to set up an ICT hub in slums to help youths tap into opportunities embedded in information technology.

Hadji Kwame Ahmed is a member of several international organizations, including the International Youth Society, UN Youth Assembly, and Global Peace Ambassador. With a projection of helping 150,000 youths in Africa by 2025, his goal is to work in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, and Kenya.

Follow Agents of Change Africa on Twitter @AOCNIG and Instagram @aocafrica to stay updated on their activities. Remember, the change we crave starts with you and I.

Idris Ola

Idris Ola is a medical doctor and health innovator who founded the Blue-Pink Center for Women’s Health (BPCWH). Through his cutting-edge models, he has provided breast and cervical cancer control services to over 76,000 people, with over 23,000 direct beneficiaries in the previous 3 years. His cancer control model has received global recognition and was listed among the best 100 SDG projects in 2021 by the Friends for Leadership organization and the United Nations 75.

Idris has presented his medical innovations at prestigious gatherings, including the Sustainability Research Lab, Germany, and the United States National Institute of Health’s Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research. He has received several grants to pilot his innovations, including from the USADF, Citi Foundation, USAID, and the Pollination Project.

Idris holds a degree in medicine from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria, and a master’s degree in global health from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. He has certifications in business development from Bocconi University, Italy, leadership and management in health from the University of Washington, and public management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. He is a recipient of many research grants and has been recognized by several organizations, including Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI West Africa Fellowship, and African Changemaker Fellowship.

Ridwan Abdulganiyu

Ridwan Abdulganiyu is a passionate advocate for clean energy and sustainable development in Nigeria. He is the Operations Manager at Hinata Energy, a renewable energy company that is committed to promoting clean cooking solutions in Northern Nigeria.

Through his work at Hinata Energy, Ridwan is helping to combat global climate change by reducing household energy use and promoting the adoption of cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies. He is actively involved in multi-stakeholder advocacy efforts aimed at accelerating the transition from polluting fuels to cleaner energy, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where hydrocarbon products are still widely used for cooking.

In May 2022, Ridwan played a key role in Hinata Energy’s partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to deploy 50,000 single-burner biofuel-powered cookstoves across all federal and state polytechnics in Nigeria. This agreement will not only reduce carbon emissions by over 150,000 metric tons annually, but also provide income generation opportunities for polytechnic partners through long-term leasing arrangements for students.

Ridwan’s ultimate goal is to contribute to making clean cookstoves accessible and affordable to all, especially women and children in Africa regardless of their social status and income. He is committed to creating awareness and driving national and global adoption of clean and low-emission household energy solutions that can reduce air pollution, preserve biodiversity, and help slow forest degradation.

Through his leadership and advocacy, Ridwan is helping to build a dynamic, inclusive, and financially sustainable industry that is working towards achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030. He believes that these efforts will lead to improved human health, reduced climate change effects, empower women, and improved livelihoods, and greater urgency to address this pressing global issue.