Godwin Lasisi

I recently had the privilege of engaging with United Nations Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Youth Affairs, (United Nations Youth Office) Felipe Paullier Olivera, during his official work visit to Nigeria — a visit that brought together government representatives, CSOs, youth leaders, innovators and UN Agencies including International Labour Organization UNICEF, United Nations Population Fund, UNODC amongst others.

Our Agenda? : building and Investing in the development of Africa's Youth and Future Generation.

📍Moments like this affirm exactly why I made the decision to join Sydani Group 14 months ago. Here's what I mean:

📍Africa and Nigeria especially is at a defining moment in its Human Capital demographic dividend Journey and here's where it gets interesting.

📍Organizations like Sydani are setting the standard for what structured, competency-driven youth development actually looks like in practice. The Sydani Fellowship Programme (SFP), now in its ninth (9th) cohort, has trained over 200 young professionals through a rigorous six-month model that blends technical instruction, real-world project exposure, mentorship, and continuous performance monitoring — with an 85%+ post-programme placement rate.

⚫Beyond SFP, the Kodex programme has further extended this commitment by equipping young Nigerians with in-demand tech skills across data analysis, product design, web and mobile development, and digital marketing and top performers securing six-month paid placements. These programmes are proof of concept for scalable workforce development.

⚫ASG Felipe visit to Nigeria is a signal to the world that this country is being watched — and for good reason!

📍When global youth leadership takes a seat at the table with Nigerian stakeholders, it is because the work being done here matters. I joined Sydani because I believed in the mission of bridging learning and employment for young Africans. Fourteen months in, I am even more convinced. We are not waiting for the future — we are building it

I would be sharing a detailed account in my upcoming posts.
WATCH OUT 🔥

Remembering the lives lost during the Genocide against the Tutsi, a tragedy that scarred the conscience of humanity.
We honor the victims with solemn reflection, holding space for grief, memory, and truth. In remembering, we reaffirm a collective responsibility: to confront hatred in all its forms, to resist silence in the face of injustice, and to ensure that “never again” is a lived reality.

I see the story of Rwanda defined by the courage of its people to rebuild, reconcile, and rise with dignity.

Today, Rwanda stands as a testament to resilience and possibility, an example of how a nation can transform pain into purpose. From remarkable strides in governance and gender equity to innovations in health, technology, and environmental sustainability, Rwanda has reimagined its future with clarity and strength. In Rwanda, you see development, intentional healing and unity.

This commemoration, 7th of April every year goes beyond reflection to honor the enduring spirit of a people who chose hope, who chose progress, and who continue to show the world what it means to rebuild with vision and humanity.

Some of the phenomenal feats by Rwanda, which has modeled it as a city for transformation include:

1.📍 Maintaining one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. Its GDP grew by 8.9% in 2024 and surged further to 9.4% in 2025, outperforming projections.

2. Achieved about 96% financial inclusion, largely powered by mobile money and digital systems.

3.📍Continues to record major gains in health outcomes, particularly in maternal and child health, with sustained reductions in mortality and improved service delivery.

4.📍Expanded its car-free zones and monthly Car-Free Day initiative in Kigali, now covering over 10 km of roads twice a month, promoting clean air, active mobility, and public health for thousands of residents.

During my time in Rwanda i came to a conclusion: Rwanda’s growth reflects a deeper story of intentional nation-building: combining economic discipline, digital innovation, and human-centered development.

Dear readers, read and if you can, visit The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda. Ignorance is not bliss

✝️ Happy Easter Y'all ✝️
God Bless You🤍🫂

Happy New Month from your Favorite United Nations SDG Advocate 😁💙🇺🇳
Another Quarter to Accelerate achievement of the SDGs with a focus on Public Health, Climate Action and Youth Development.

Now, we take it a step further.
From classrooms to communities, from awareness to action, we are building a generation that understands that biodiversity, health, and climate are one system.

📍As a Youth Influencer with the UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime through the Youth Network, I’m proud to say that since our journey began in 2024, we have collectively reached over 20,000 young people across Nigeria, driving school-based advocacy, community engagement, and practical One Health approaches to biodiversity conservation. This is what youth-led action looks like: consistent, local, and transformative.

So Yess, we are taking it a step further tomorrow!

📍Tomorrow, Wednesday 1st April, the UNODC Nigeria Youth Network convenes to commemorate World Wildlife Day 2026—bringing together government stakeholders, development partners and young leaders, advocates, and partners committed to protecting our ecosystems, our planet our health and securing our future.

Join us virtually: bit.ly/wwd2026

YouthLeadership Biodiversity Nigeria

Celebrating MAMA YPAT😁💙
Happy Birthday to Celine Lafoucriere (aka Mama YPAT😂💙) Chief Field of Office/Head of Private Sector Partnership Generation Unlimited UNICEF Nigeria — an exceptional leader whose work continues to redefine opportunities for children and young people. Your leadership has driven remarkable progress, particularly through platforms like Generation Unlimited and Yoma World expanding access to skills, opportunities, and pathways for youth to thrive. Your commitment to equity, innovation, and systems strengthening is not only impactful but deeply inspiring.

📍It has been a privilege working closely with you for over a year as a UNICEF Nigeria GenU Youth Advisor. I have witnessed firsthand your passion for meaningful youth engagement, creating spaces where young people are not just included, but empowered to co-create solutions.

📍Thank you for your unwavering support, your belief in youth leadership, and for consistently translating vision into action. Wishing you continued success and even greater impact in the year ahead.

“Collaboration is the new innovation—and it starts with equitable access.”

📍I m honoured to have been featured by the Patoranking Foundation as a Youth Advocate following my engagement with Patoranking (UNDP Goodwill Ambassador) during his visit to the United Nations House, engaging with Mohamed Malick Fall UNRC, Elsie Attafuah UNDP Nigeria Resident Rep, Dr. Vanessa Phala-Moyo Country Director International Labour Organization and Oluwatobiloba Moody Country Director – WIPO Nigeria.

📍As they shared:

⚫ "I believe collaboration is the new innovation, driven by equitable access to quality education”
⚫ During our founder, Patoranking's visit to the Gun_nigeria House, we heard changemakers like ⚕️ speak on a truth we Can't ignore: too many young people, especially in rural areas, lack access to skills that truly prepare them for the future

⚫ He said it best:
⚫ "Young people, especially those from rural areas and grassroots communities, must have equitable access to quality education to bridge disparities in sectors like health, innovation and technology which creates a pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to sustainable development, Universal Health Coverage and even boost economic dividend in their communities while advancing Global Goals like the SDGs and Africa Agenda 2063."
⚫ Lasisi's Words remind us why we need more African youth leaders to step up and be part of this conversation
⚫The future of Africa depends on voices like his, the African youth who understands the challenges and advocates for education that truly empowvers
Your voice matters

📍I recently saw the pictures posted by Patoranking Foundation in my gallery reminding me it's been one year since that impactful convening

📍As Patoranking would sing, “I’m excited, it’s already weekend” 🎵🎶—and even though the weekend is wrapping up this Sunday, the energy hasn’t slowed down for me. I am still excited, because something meaningful is on the horizon, something at the intersection of One Health, climate action, the United Nations, and youth development

Stay tuned I am coming with Big News🔥

Excited and privileged to be a Youth Champion at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC) Nigeria Country Programme 2026-2030 Unveiling Ceremony, held at the UN House, I had the privilege of participating as a Youth Champion in what marks a first-of-its-kind, system-wide strategic framework for UNODC Nigeria

📍Led by Cheikh TOURE the Country Representative UNODC Nigeria, with remarks from Elsie Attafuah UN RC ai who also doubles as the UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, this historic moment brought together critical development partners like the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, German Embassy, national institutions including the National Judicial Institute, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Nigeria Police Force, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Nigeria Customs Service, Directorate of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Federal Ministry of Environment Nigeria, with a keynote from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria. The programme was formally presented by Danilo Campisi Deputy Rep UNODC Nigeria

📍 It is a systematic and structured roadmap that clearly aligns SDG16 and sustainable development outcomes under one coordinated vision

Its implications are far-reaching:

⚫For youth and women: a stronger focus on prevention, inclusion, and protection within justice and security systems
⚫For public health: integrated responses to HIV and AIDS, drug use, and substance abuse as development and health priorities—not just criminal justice issues
⚫For vulnerable populations: targeted safeguards against trafficking, exploitation, and systemic exclusion
⚫For the environment: a sharpened response to environmental crimes, recognizing their direct link to health, livelihoods, and community resilience

📍This Country Programme signals an ongoing shift, from fragmented interventions to coordinated, evidence-driven action across sectors.

Congratulations Federal Government of !✨
Congratulations UNODC Nigeria!✨

📍Commemorating World TB Day, I am reminded that ending Tuberculosis in Nigeria has to take more than commitment, it will require sustained coordination, accountability, and community-driven action.

📍At the National TB Conference, one message stood out clearly: we cannot end TB without closing the gaps in detection, prevention, and community trus. From case finding to treatment adherence and financing, the discussions reinforced that progress depends on how well we align national systems with grassroots realities.

📍 Convened by The leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, alongside partners such as the The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, World Health Organization, UNICEF, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, KNCV TB Plus, Tuberculosis Foundation, and other implementing partners, reflects the scale of collaboration required.
"The whole of Society Kind"

📍Key takeaways that continue to shape my work reinforced:

⚫The urgency of scaling active case finding and reaching underserved populations
⚫ Strengthening community systems and frontline health workers as the backbone of TB response
⚫Integrating TB services with broader health and social protection systems
⚫Addressing "stigma and misinformation" through trusted community voices, especially youth

📍As we mark World TB Day, the call is clear: move from commitments to measurable, community-level impact. Because ending TB is a test of how inclusive and equitable our health systems truly are.