On October 17, 2025, the Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) joined other stakeholders at the State Level Consultative Forum on Achieving Inclusive Police Reform in Edo State, held at Golden Tulip Essential Hotel, Benin City.
The forum was organised by the Edo State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Police Reform Secretariat. It brought together civil society groups, traditional leaders, youth representatives, women’s groups, and security agencies to discuss practical ways to make policing in Edo State more inclusive and people-centred.
Fostering Trust and Accountability
Discussions focused on building trust between citizens and the police, promoting human rights, and improving access to justice. The representative of the Inspector General of Police, CP Eloho Okpoziakpo, noted that “the future of policing must reflect inclusivity, human rights, and citizen participation in building safer communities.”
Participants shared ideas and identified strategies for reform, including:
Expanding access to legal aid for vulnerable groups
Strengthening gender inclusion within law enforcement structures
Promoting continuous dialogue between communities and the police
Enhancing accountability mechanisms to rebuild public confidence
GAF’s Role and Commitment
For GAF, the forum reaffirmed our commitment to justice, inclusion, and community empowerment. These values are central to our Advocacy for Equality priority. Our participation reflected our belief that safety and justice are strengthened when citizens play an active role in shaping solutions.
As an organisation dedicated to helping women and girls lift, lead, and thrive, GAF recognises that fair and inclusive policing is essential to protecting their rights and creating safer communities for everyone.
Looking Ahead
The session concluded with a shared understanding that inclusive police reform is a collective responsibility. GAF remains committed to supporting community-based justice initiatives and working with partners such as the ACJMC and UNDP to make sure that police reforms are inclusive, fair, and sustainable.
Together, we can reimagine policing that listens to citizens, protects lives, and upholds dignity for all.
As the world marks the 2025 International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication and the Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) call on Nigerian leaders and institutions to take concrete action to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of every girl in Nigeria.
This call comes on the heels of the pilot edition of the Voices at the Table (VATT) citizens’ assembly, held earlier this month in Benin City, Edo State. During the session, 16 adolescent girls and young women shared deeply personal stories about the insecurity they face in both public and private spaces. They spoke about street harassment, sexual violence, abuse within the home, and the fear they experience simply walking back from school. Alongside these painful testimonies, they offered bold and practical solutions rooted in their lived experiences.
One of the participants, a 14-year-old (whose name is withheld), spoke movingly about a classmate with a speech impairment who was constantly mocked and isolated by her peers. “If she had more friends who could stand up for her, she would feel safe,” she said. Another participant recounted being raped at the age of eight by a trusted neighbour and keeping the trauma buried for years. Others told of narrow escapes from street gangs, abusive family members, and dangerous shortcuts on the way home from church.
“I had just attended a youth-led programme at my church, and afterward, I was walking home with some fellow church members’, a participant recounted. “The journey back was long, so we chose the shortcut, a narrow route that we all knew was a hangout for street cultists. We figured that walking as a group would keep us safe, even though it was an unsettling decision. What made me more uneasy was the fact that we were all women.
“As we approached the most dreaded stretch of that shortcut, the exact spot they usually gather, we saw them. Ten men. Five ahead of us. Five closing in from behind. I cannot describe the chill that swept through me. It was pure fear. We took off. We did not care about the bags we flung behind or the Bibles inside. We just ran, like our lives depended on it. And honestly, I think they did. Since that day, I have never walked that route again. Not once. And I never will.”
These experiences reflect a national crisis that is all too often ignored. According to UNICEF, six in ten Nigerian girls experience gender-based violence before the age of 18.
“What we are witnessing is evidence of systemic failure and a direct betrayal of Nigeria’s commitments under the SDGs, the Child Rights Act, the African Charter, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). You cannot claim progress while girls are unsafe, unheard, and unprotected,” the ImpactHouse Programmes Manager, Chinomso Momoh, bemoaned.
Yet, the VATT session was not a space for despair, as the girls demanded action. Their proposals included improved public infrastructure such as street lighting and CCTV, school-based counselling services, comprehensive sexuality education, community safety task forces, and the engagement of men and boys as allies in creating safer communities for girls.
“We stand firmly with girls who not only dream of safer communities but demand it through bold, practical solutions. At GAF, we are committed to turning their advocacy into action,” said GAF Manager, Felicitas Nwadiolu.
ImpactHouse and GAF urge the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to take the lead in mainstreaming and funding girl-led safety initiatives. To shift harmful gender norms, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) must roll out targeted public awareness campaigns that reach communities at every level. For their part, state governments and local authorities also have a crucial role to play by investing in the infrastructure, such as street lighting and safe community spaces, that supports girls’ safety.
We also call on law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to establish and maintain gender desks that are both youth-friendly and responsive to threats.
As we honour women and girls of African descent today, let it be with urgent policy responses, tangible protection, and long-term investments in girl-led leadership.
###
Note to Editors:
VATT is a girl-led civic dialogue initiative that provides safe spaces for adolescent girls and young women to share their stories, shape public solutions, and participate meaningfully in the civic life of their communities. The project is powered by GAF in partnership with ImpactHouse. Each quarter, a selected group of girls gathers at GAF’s civic hub in Benin City, Edo State, for a physical assembly, ensuring both digital and offline participation. These contributions are consolidated into a quarterly Voices at the Table Report, which is presented to policymakers, development partners, media platforms, and advocacy coalitions.
Felicitas Nwadiolu Foundation Manager felicitas.nwadiolu@gaf.org.ng 08162272016
About the Partners
ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication is a nonprofit working to improve the quality of civic conversations among everyday citizens in Africa to drive responsive and accountable governance. Our work spans critical areas such as civic participation and good governance, gender equity and justice, education and human rights, and media and civil society development. Learn more atwww.impacthouse.org.ng
The Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) is a girls and women focused organisation working to promote gender equity, education, and participation for girls and women across Nigeria. Learn more atwww.gaf.org.ng
In a bold move to strengthen adolescent girls’ civic participation and push back against entrenched gender inequalities, the Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) and ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication have announced a strategic partnership to scale the Voices at the Table (VATT) initiative – Nigeria’s first girl-led citizens’ assembly. The initiative aims to provide a national platform for adolescent girls and young women to share lived experiences, reflect on issues affecting their lives, and shape solutions through storytelling, civic dialogue, and participatory reporting.
Nigeria remains one of the most challenging environments in sub-Saharan Africa for girls to grow and thrive. Millions of girls continue to face child marriage, gender-based violence, poor access to quality education, and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation. These realities silence the voices of girls and often exclude them from conversations and decisions that directly impact their future. “For too long, decisions about girls have been made without hearing directly from them. Voices at the Table is our way of changing that, by creating a safe, structured space where girls don’t just speak, but are genuinely listened to, and where their lived experiences shape real change.” — Charles Omofomwan, Founder, Grace Agbonlahor Foundation
The VATT is an empathy-driven and inclusive model for civic engagement, offering girls a platform to reflect on social issues that affect their lives and propose solutions that can influence policy, advocacy, and community action. The platform allows girls from all backgrounds to submit responses via voice notes, written reflections, short videos, or in-person dialogues hosted in safe spaces like schools, churches, markets, and community centres.
Each quarter, a selected group of girls gathers at GAF’s civic hub in Benin City, Edo State, for a physical assembly, ensuring both digital and offline participation. These contributions are consolidated into a quarterly Voices at the Table Report, which is presented to policymakers, development partners, media platforms, and advocacy coalitions. Topics are introduced through an easy-to-understand “Topic Pack”, developed to build civic literacy and spark dialogue in communities. As part of the partnership, ImpactHouse will lead storytelling design, messaging strategy, and media amplification, ensuring that girls’ voices reach not just decision-makers but also the broader Nigerian public. “At ImpactHouse, we believe that quality civic conversations, especially among everyday citizens, can drive social change. This partnership with GAF strengthens our commitment to enabling inclusive dialogue and gender-responsive governance”, Programmes Manager at ImpactHouse, Chinomso Momoh, said. “For us, VATT is more than a project. It is a movement to democratise civic participation, deepen the quality of civic conversations, and centre the voices of those most excluded”.
To ensure that no girl is left behind, GAF is also distributing printed VATT response forms in underserved communities, ensuring representation from rural and low-connectivity areas. The initiative works through a growing coalition of civil society actors, educators, youth groups, and networks like the End Child Marriage Coalition and the Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO).
About the Partners The Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) is a girls and women focused organisation working to promote gender equity, education, and participation for girls and women across Nigeria. Learn more at www.gaf.org.ng
ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication is a think-and-do tank working to improve the quality of civic conversations among everyday citizens in Africa to drive responsive and accountable governance. Their work spans critical areas such as civic participation and good governance, gender equity and justice, education and human rights, and media and civil society development. Learn more at www.impacthouse.org.ng
Media Contacts
Felicitas Nwadiolu (Foundation Manager, GAF) Email: engage@gaf.org.ng Phone: 08162272016 Chinomso Momoh (Programmes Manager, ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication) Email: chinomso@impacthouse.org.ng Phone: +2348087907931
📍 University of Benin, Benin City 📅 May 9, 2025 🎒 Organised by the Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF)
What happens when you take 12 junior secondary school girls on a tour of a university campus for the very first time?
For us at GAF, the answer came to life on May 9, 2025 — when the Girls in Career Boost (GCB) STEM Foundation programme brought its second quarter participants to the University of Benin for an unforgettable exposure tour. And yes, we saw jaws drop, dreams stretch, and ambitions take flight.
This wasn’t just a school trip. It was a window into the future — one where girls from Benin City could imagine themselves as engineers, computer scientists, medical researchers, and more.
🧭 Stepping Into University Life
The day kicked off at the UNIBEN Main Auditorium, where GAF’s team welcomed the girls with smiles, energising icebreakers, and “University Goal Cards” — a fun activity where each girl wrote down what she hoped to learn, see, and dream about during the tour.
With ambassadors guiding the way, the girls moved through key departments that opened their minds and sparked new possibilities.
🧮 Where It All Happened
Mathematics Department
Led by Prof. Francis Osagiede, this session demystified maths and made it feel like a powerful tool — not a scary subject. The girls listened closely as he spoke about mentorship, financial empowerment, and the role of female mathematicians in global development.
Computer Science
Inside buzzing computer labs, students got a taste of what it means to build technology. They interacted with undergraduates, explored digital tools, and gained an insider’s view of computer science in action.
Engineering Faculty
This was a clear favourite! Faculty executives and student leaders shared their journeys, encouraging the girls to own their space in STEM. It was emotional, motivational, and deeply affirming.
🏫 Exploring the Campus
From classroom blocks to hostels, from the iconic John Harris Library to the Faculty of Medical Science, the girls soaked in the vibe of university life. They even stopped by Student Affairs, Bukka, and other landmark spots — places that once felt distant but now seemed possible.
They asked bold questions. They took notes. They imagined themselves in those lecture halls — not one day, but soon.
💬 What the Girls Said
“Now I understand the difference between faculties and departments.” – Amanda, future Mathematician
“I want to be a gynecologist because of what I learned today.” – Adeola, future gynecologist
“This tour has motivated me to pursue a career in medical science!” – Emilia, future pediatrician
These weren’t just reflections — they were declarations.
🎯 What We Achieved
Real Exposure to university systems, departments, and STEM career options
Hands-On Mentorship from professors and faculty leaders
Confidence Building through open dialogue and on-site learning
Career Redirection — with many girls adjusting their goals after what they saw
📸 Some Unforgettable Moments
Girls standing proud behind the Medical Sciences signboard
Group photos with the Director of Social, Faculty of Engineering
Moments with Prof. Osagiede at the Mathematics Department
Wide-eyed wonder inside the Computer Science lab
👣 What’s Next?
We’re not stopping here. ✔️ We’ll strengthen our mentorship support with faculty and STEM ambassadors ✔️ Expand to more universities and institutions across the state ✔️ Add hands-on STEM experiments during tours to increase engagement
🙏 Special Thanks
We’re grateful to all the faculty mentors, ambassadors, and the GAF team who made this day powerful and inspiring. You didn’t just open doors — you opened minds.
🌐 Stay Connected
This is just the beginning. GAF remains committed to bridging the gender gap in STEM by investing in the dreams of girls — one tour, one workshop, one bold conversation at a time.
👉 To support or partner with us on future GCB STEM tours, email us!
Date: 2nd May 2025 Location: Akugbe Union, Benin City Organised by: Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) Facilitator: Favour Ogbonna
What does eating for longevity really mean to the everyday market woman in Nigeria?
That question brought 30 amazing women together on a warm Friday morning at the Akugbe Union hall in Benin City. They weren’t there for business as usual. No tomatoes, no ogbono sales. This time, they came to learn something far more personal — how to eat well, live long, and take control of their health.
The Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) hosted the final session of its MarketCare workshop series, and the focus was simple but powerful: food as medicine.
🥬 Small Changes, Big Results
Facilitated by the ever-energetic Favour Ogbonna, the session was not just informative — it was lively. There was laughter, “ah-ha” moments, and some honest confessions about love for garri and late-night rice. But by the end of the day, the message was clear: what we eat really matters.
Many of the women were surprised to discover that small tweaks — like swapping yam for cocoyam, custard for millet pap, or heavy fufu for starchless garri — could help manage blood sugar and digestion. Even better? These changes didn’t require fancy diets or imported ingredients. Everything discussed could be found right there in the market stalls they work in daily.
🌶️ Spicing Up Health — Naturally
One of the biggest hits of the day was learning about the power of natural spices. The women buzzed with excitement as they explored how everyday ingredients like ginger, nutmeg, curry leaf, cinnamon, and moringa could be used not just for flavour, but for wellness.
“I didn’t know that cinnamon could help with sugar control,” one woman exclaimed, clutching her notes like gold.
There were gasps, jokes, and plenty of nodding when someone suggested soaking bitter leaf to make a morning detox drink. You could feel the mindset shift happening in real time.
💧 More Than Food: Lifestyle Talk Got Real
The workshop wasn’t just about what’s on the plate. It also touched on:
Prioritising meals before diving into market hustle
Drinking more water (not just soft drinks!)
Watching salt, sugar, and alcohol
Finding simple ways to move their bodies daily
Understanding digestion and even… bowel movements (yes, we went there!)
The conversations were raw, relatable, and often hilarious. But behind every laugh was a genuine hunger to do better.
👩🏽🏫 Women Leading the Change
The energy in the room was contagious. These weren’t passive attendees — they asked bold questions, shared their own home remedies, and even challenged some health myths. By the end, many were pledging to not just change their own habits, but to teach their daughters, neighbours, and even fellow traders.
Some expressed interest in getting home-test kits for blood sugar checks. Others were eager to learn more about mental wellness, family planning, and even eye care.
💬 In Their Own Words
“This training was different. I learned things I can actually use. I’m going home to throw away that custard and soak millet tonight!” — Workshop participant
“Please invite us again. We need more talks like this — especially on hormones and body changes as we grow older.”
🙌 A Few Thank Yous
To Favour Ogbonna for bringing both expertise and humour into the room — thank you. To the Akugbe Union Women, your warmth, openness, and eagerness to learn made this session unforgettable. To our team — we couldn’t have done this without you.
🚀 So, What’s Next?
Though this was the final workshop in this round, it’s really just the beginning. We’re already exploring more topics like:
Hormonal health and menopause
Family planning awareness
Mental health and stress relief
Eye care for women over 40
And yes — future sessions may just include some live cooking demos (because who wouldn’t love a taste test?).
📣 Final Thoughts
This workshop reminded us of something important: health education doesn’t need to be boring or intimidating. When you bring it to where women are — in their language, on their terms — real change happens.
So here’s to fewer processed meals, more mindful eating, and women who are rewriting the story of wellness, one market at a time.
📸 Scroll down to see photos from the session 📨 Want to partner or sponsor future workshops? Email us!
The Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF) is thrilled to announce the winner of our “Speak Up and Act: A Community Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence” challenge, held as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. After receiving several incredible entries and an intense social media tie-breaker, Khaleela Ndidi emerged as the winner!
Khaleela’s Campaign: A Voice for the Voiceless
Khaleela, a passionate advocate for social change, stood out with her two-day sensitisation outreach in Rivers State. Using creatively designed posters, she engaged her community to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Her efforts didn’t just inform—they sparked meaningful conversations and inspired action. Through bold messages like “Stop Violence Against Women” and “Treat GBV as a Crime, Not a Culture,” Khaleela’s campaign resonated deeply with the people she reached.
Reflecting on her journey, Khaleela shared: “The experience I had while taking part in this challenge was a balanced mix of bliss and dead ends, in what sense? While a lot of people I approached were welcoming and cooperative, a few were not open to the idea of being recorded, and some had opposite views. But regardless, I was able to face the whole thing with a healthy dose of confidence and excitement.”
Her determination and creativity made a significant impact, and her ability to adapt to challenges showcased the strength of her advocacy.
The Social Media Tie-Breaker
Khaleela was one of four exceptional finalists whose campaigns stood out for their creativity, impact, and engagement. She tied with Akinola Shukurat, Lysa Ojoka, and Oghogho Osariemen, all of whom delivered inspiring campaigns:
Akinola Shukurat empowered children in Isolo, Lagos, by teaching them about GBV and how to seek help.
Lysa Ojoka, in Benin City, used videos and posters to educate her community about GBV and encourage action.
Oghogho Osariemen leveraged social media to raise awareness and drive online dialogue on GBV in Lagos State.
To determine the winner, GAF allowed social media engagement across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter (now X) to decide. It was a tight contest, but Khaleela’s campaign garnered the highest total engagements, crowning her the champion.
A Well-Deserved Prize
As the winner of the “Speak Up and Act” challenge, Khaleela received the N50,000 grand prize, a Certificate of Achievement, and the recognition as a Young Advocate for Change. But for her, the victory meant so much more than the accolades.
“I am totally elated after finding out that I’ve been selected as the winner of the 2024 GBV campaign. Aside from the prize money, women’s rights is something I’m very passionate about, and it gives me great joy that my commitment has been acknowledged by such a reputable platform,” Khaleela said. “This is basically the encouragement I’ve been needing to take my activism to a more public level, and for that, I am grateful.”
Looking to the Future
Khaleela’s win has not only affirmed her advocacy efforts but also inspired her to dream bigger. She plans to use her prize money to invest in equipment to kickstart a podcast or blog focusing on women’s rights.
“Basically, we’re in a digital age, and more impact is created via social media these days. I plan to use my prize money to get equipment to aid the kickstart of my podcast/blog that’ll be dealing with women’s rights,” she explained.
Her participation in the challenge has also strengthened her resolve to continue volunteering and engaging in activities that promote the rights of women and children.
“I know that I’ll become more vocal about my beliefs, and I aim to sensitise more people as time goes by,” Khaleela shared with determination.
Celebrating All Participants
While Khaleela emerged as the winner, GAF applauds the efforts of all participants. Each campaign amplified the message of the 16 Days of Activism and demonstrated the power of grassroots and digital advocacy in addressing GBV.
Join Us in the Fight Against GBV
Khaleela’s story reminds us that change starts with one voice, one action, and one determined individual. GAF remains committed to empowering young advocates and creating platforms for their voices to be heard.
Congratulations to Khaleela Ndidi, our champion for change! And a big thank you to all participants, supporters, and community members who joined us in this campaign. Together, we can make a difference.
On 9 October 2024, the Nigerian Senate declared the urgent need for a state of emergency to protect our nation’s young girls. GAF wholeheartedly supports this crucial step, recognising that the safety, dignity, and future of Nigerian girls are essential to the wellbeing of our entire society. When girls are shielded from violence, exploitation, and discrimination, they are empowered to fulfil their potential, pursue education, and contribute their unique talents.
Through our commitment to advocacy for equality, educational empowerment, and economic support, GAF stands as an advocate for creating environments where Nigerian girls can learn and thrive safely. However, we urge the Senate to take proactive measures to realise these ideals. Beyond a declaration, we call for systematic monitoring of existing laws, such as the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Act, and the establishment of oversight committees to ensure that protections are not just words on paper but active safeguards in every community.
Our appeal also extends to forging partnerships across public and private sectors to build support systems, safe spaces, and tailored resources that equip girls to grow in confidence and ability. Girls form the foundation of a stronger Nigeria, and only through collective action can we ensure they are given the rights and opportunities they deserve. By working together, we can answer the Senate’s call and, more importantly, provide a future where our girls can excel without fear.
Glory, a young widow living in Ighekpe Community, Benin-City, has faced profound challenges since the death of her husband. With three children to care for, including one with special needs, her daily life is a constant battle against poverty and uncertainty. Before receiving support from the Grace Agbonlahor Foundation (GAF), Glory struggled to maintain her small-scale cooked food business, which was her primary source of income.
The Struggles of Daily Life
Following her husband’s passing, Glory found it increasingly difficult to manage her household and sustain her business. The meager earnings from her food sales barely covered the basic needs of her family, leaving little room for purchasing essential ingredients. Many days, she had to make tough decisions, often prioritizing her children’s immediate needs over her business.
Glory’s challenges were compounded by the lack of financial resources. Without sufficient capital to restock her shop, she was unable to offer a diverse menu, which meant losing customers to competitors who could provide a wider range of meals. This cycle of underperformance deepened her financial woes, creating a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Identifying the Need for Support
Recognizing Glory’s plight, GAF organized a needs assessment in the Ighekpe Community. During interviews, it became clear that Glory lacked the essential supplies necessary to run her business effectively. She expressed her desire to improve her situation but felt trapped by her circumstances. The stress of managing her household and business with insufficient resources took a toll on her health and well-being.
A Turning Point
On October 16, 2024, during a visit to commemorate World Food Day, GAF intervened by providing Glory with essential food stocks to revitalize her business. The support included a 10kg bag of rice, 5 liters of groundnut oil, a carton of spaghetti, a carton of tomato paste, and 2 rubbers of white beans. This timely assistance not only replenished her supplies but also renewed her hope and motivation.
Glory expressed profound gratitude for the support she received from GAF, noting how it would significantly alleviate her daily struggles. She now has the means to expand her menu and attract more customers, providing her children with better food security and a brighter future.
Looking Ahead
With the help of GAF, Glory is optimistic about her business’s potential. She has started to plan for the future, envisioning a thriving food enterprise that can support her family and contribute to her community. The intervention by GAF was not just a momentary aid; it marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Glory and her family.
Glory Iboi’s story is a testament to the impact that targeted support can have on individuals facing adversity. With continued support and empowerment, GAF is committed to helping women like Glory achieve stability and success in their lives.
Are you a passionate advocate for women in STEM? The Grace Agbonlahor Foundation is seeking dynamic and dedicated STEM Ambassadors to join our mission to empower and uplift the next generation of female leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and inspire young girls across Nigeria.
In today’s rapidly advancing world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education represents more than just learning concepts; it’s a crucial gateway to empowerment and equal opportunity.
