Age
17
Country of Residence
Nigeria
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
In assembly, I gave a 5-minute pep talk on phone addiction. After, many students told me they can't sleep and feel tired always. That was my aha moment. We charge our phones when low but we don't charge our brains. I saw simple talks could help. That moment made me believe I could help youths in my community in Surulere too.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I use my school pep talks and one-on-one chats to invite youths. I explain brain battery in simple way. In future I will use WhatsApp status, ask friends to bring friends, and share short videos on how they slept better.
How many people are on your team?
1
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
So far, I did 5-minute pep talks in my secondary school assembly and reached 50+ students. Some said they reduced night phone use. I have not yet started large gatherings in Surulere, that is my next step. In next 6 months I hope to gather 10-15 youths twice a month to teach Brain Battery idea. I believe it will work because youths listened to me in school.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
The Brain Battery Project teaches youths in Surulere to rest their brain like a phone battery through short talks on phone use and sleep.
Project title
Brain battery project
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
Many youths in Surulere spend hours on phones at night. We sleep late, wake tired, can't focus in class, and feel anxious. Many don't know how daily habits like lack of sleep and too much screen time affect the brain. After secondary school, many feel lost and stressed with no mental health support.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
In next 3 months, I will start with 2 gatherings in Surulere with 10 youths each. I will create WhatsApp group for follow up, make simple flyers, and talk to 2 schools to allow pep talks. Over 1 year I want to reach 100 youths.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
Most mental health programs use big medical grammar youths don't understand. Mine uses phone battery language every youth knows. It is youth-to-youth. I am 17 and just finished secondary school, so they listen to me. It is free, no data needed, and happens in our community.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
I organize small free gatherings for 10-15 youths in Surulere. I use phone battery example: When phone is low, you charge it. When brain is tired, you rest it. Each session I give 5-min pep talk and discuss how phone addiction affects sleep, simple ways to charge brain - sleep early, screen breaks, talking to someone, and managing stress after school. We meet twice a month.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
I am founder and speaker. I plan talks and organize gatherings. My elder sister helps as adult supporter to find safe space. I will add volunteers later.
