Country of Residence
Nigeria
Age
19
Project title
LeadHer Forward Initiative
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
LeadHer Forward is a girls' leadership initiative equipping girls in rural and underserved communities with career guidance, mentorship, and life skills. Through workshops, mentorship circles, and advocacy, we build confidence, amplify voices, and create pathways for girls to lead. We believe every girl deserves a future she can build herself.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/42222032/
Project Category
My project is an existing project that I started
Project Stage
Growth (We’ve moved past the very first activities and are beginning to have consistent weekly or monthly impact)
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?
I was trekking to campus in within the town my college was located, i saw about 3 girls walking in front of me, due to my hurry, i could walk close to them and eventually walked past them. in-between that, i heard them discuss how much they were willing to complete their secondary school so that they could get married to an "okada man" which they know is okay for them. i couldn't stop thinking about what i had heard. these girls that are not uo to 18 years old be thinking of what man to marry and even being eager about it. about a week after, i went to their school, had a bit of conversation with their vice principal who was a male. he complained bitterly on how these girl's concentration in school had been poor, and, his request was simple. "we need to get these girls to see beyond what they can see. if those pf you in the university could come and tell them that they also can get into the university instead of getting married, probably they will change priorities". i didn't need any more approval. i knew what to do.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
The problem we are helping to solve is to show and lead these girls in pathways beyond the classroom and beyond their environments too. the problem was that, young girls were prioritizing getting married as a necessary path immediately after their secondary school education. and this dream of theirs was interrupting their education interest. solving this problem matters to me because, of course, im not an indigent of this town, im not even from the state, but im concerned because these are girls, just like me. they also deserve a bright future. it matters to me deeply because, i also hail from a rural environment, but i grew up in a city due to privileges that these girls don't have. their environment shouldn't define them, and not even their circumstances. i feel exposure should not be restricted to particular environments while the majority of environments suffer without even knowing.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
so, i went back to my space, cause i was so baffled with the reality and the principal's response was having a bit of a solution in it. so, i made plans, spoke with some of my colleagues, and we brainstormed on launching an event for these girls. a leadership and career development day for these girls. the following are ways we've been solving the problems. . Expanding Their Vision of What's Possible Through career mentorship sessions, girls are introduced to women in fields like medicine, law, and entrepreneurship—women who look like them and come from similar backgrounds. This exposure shifts their mindset from "I have to get married" to "I can be anything I want to be." Building Confidence and Self-Worth Many girls in Okuku have never been told they are capable of more. LeadHer Forward's workshops focus on self-esteem, public speaking, and goal-setting—helping girls see themselves as leaders, not just future wives. Building Leadership skills: such as public speaking, critical thinking and even outside the classroom knowledge, we ensured each class had a representative of girls to participate in this competition, though the performance was low, and that's proof we have more work to do in building such skills Centering Their Voices At the heart of LeadHer Forward is the belief that girls are the experts of their own lives. We listen to what they want, and we help them build a path toward it—on their own terms. we'd be starting fully the mini club, such that we can hear from them more often, and assist more closely.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
LeadHer: Impact Summary On June 16, 2026, LeadHer hosted a Leadership and Career Development Day at Odo-Otin Grammar School, Okuku, Osun State, bringing together 70+ girls from JSS1–SS3. The event featured panel discussions on leadership, career mentorship, entrepreneurship, and financial independence, alongside public speaking competitions and networking sessions. Key outcomes: 95% of attendees reported feeling more confident about their next steps 90% expressed interest in attending future LeadHer events 80% said the event exceeded their expectations 45% made at least one meaningful new connection One JSS2 student shared: "After attending this event, I believe that there is nothing I cannot do." The event was delivered with support from Girl Up Nigeria, LEVAWG Initiative, and UNIOSUN SDS, along with 6 dedicated volunteers and guest speakers. LeadHer is not just an event—it is a movement shifting the narrative from "girls should get married" to "girls can lead."
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
How LeadHer Is Innovative LeadHer is innovative because it addresses a deep-rooted problem—the cultural expectation that girls in rural Nigerian communities should prioritize marriage over education—using a model that is accessible, scalable, and grounded in lived experience. Innovation #1: First of Its Kind in the Community Before LeadHer, there had never been an event in Okuku—or anywhere in Odo-Otin LGA—that centered girls' leadership and career aspirations. LeadHer created a space where girls were invited to imagine futures beyond marriage, breaking a cultural silence that had persisted for generations. Innovation #2: Designed for and by the Community LeadHer was not imposed from outside—it was built by someone who understands the community's realities. The programme was co-created with local schools, teachers, and volunteers, ensuring cultural relevance and community ownership. Innovation #3: Built from Resilience When the original sponsor terminated the project, Sharon revived it independently—fundraising, recruiting volunteers, managing logistics, and delivering the event on her own terms. This model demonstrates that grassroots initiatives can thrive without institutional backing, offering a blueprint for other young leaders in similar contexts. Innovation #4: Shifting the Narrative LeadHer does not just teach skills—it shifts mindsets. By introducing girls to female professionals in medicine, and entrepreneurship, it challenges the deep-seated belief that a girl's future is limited to marriage. It plants a seed that is already growing. LeadHer is not just an event—it is a movement. And its innovation lies in its simplicity, its sustainability, and its refusal to accept that girls in rural communities cannot dream beyond what they have been told.
How many people are on your team?
7
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
Role of Volunteers in LeadHer LeadHer was powered by 6 dedicated volunteers who served as the backbone of the event. They managed logistics—setup, registration, and crowd control—ensuring smooth execution. They facilitated workshops, supported speakers, and guided girls through activities. They also helped distribute refreshments, monitored the public speaking competition, and created a welcoming environment where girls felt safe and encouraged to participate.
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.
LeadHer is evolving from a single event into a sustained, scalable movement. Over the next year, we are focused on three key areas: First, we are launching monthly virtual webinars on leadership, career development, and girls' empowerment. These sessions will bring together speakers, mentors, and girls from across Nigeria and beyond, ensuring that girls who cannot attend physical events still have access to guidance and community. Each webinar will feature a guest speaker from a different field—medicine, law, business, technology, and the arts—exposing girls to diverse career pathways they may not have previously considered. Second, we are partnering with Beyond Books Africa and WiseUp Foundation to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child in October 2026. This collaboration will bring together three youth-led organisations to amplify girls' voices through a joint event, combining our networks and resources for greater reach and impact. We are planning a day of panel discussions, mentorship sessions, and advocacy workshops centred on girls' rights and education. Third, we are building a replicable model for girls' leadership development that can be adapted across rural communities in Nigeria. By documenting our processes, refining our curriculum, and strengthening partnerships with local schools and community organisations.
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.
LeadHer's growth is driven by a multi-channel approach that meets people where they are—online, offline, and through trusted networks. LinkedIn Community & Group Chat We have built a dedicated LinkedIn group chat for LeadHer, where we share updates, resources, and opportunities. This space allows members to engage with our work, ask questions, and connect with like-minded advocates. I also use my personal LinkedIn community—where I have built a following of over 1,500 professionals—to share stories, impact reports, and calls to action, reaching an audience that extends beyond Okuku. Partnerships with Like-Minded Organisations We actively partner with organisations that share our mission. Girl Up Nigeria provides financial and strategic support, while LEVAWG Initiative amplifies our advocacy through their network. UNIOSUN SDS contributes guest speakers and logistical support, grounding our work in academic expertise and student engagement. These partnerships extend our reach, enhance our credibility, and create opportunities for cross-organisational collaboration. Word of Mouth & Community Engagement In Okuku and surrounding communities, we rely on trusted relationships with schools, teachers, and local leaders to identify participants and share our work. Teachers who attended LeadHer have become advocates, encouraging other schools to participate in future events.
