Youth Development Strategist · Nigeria
I work between the boardroom and the community, where decisions about young Africans are made and where they actually live.
Youth development strategist, founder of R-WEF and author of 24 Before Forever. I build systems that help young Africans thrive mentally, economically and socially, and I bring what I see on the ground into the rooms where decisions get made.
Where I work now
One foot in the community, one in the institutions that make decisions about it.
R-WEF
Founder & Executive Director
International Association for Suicide Prevention
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Africa Suicide Prevention Association
Advisory Board Secretary
University College London
Lived Experience Advisor
Why I do this work
I started this work at sixteen because I couldn’t ignore what I kept seeing: talented young Africans with more potential than opportunity, stuck in systems that asked them to survive without the support they deserved.
Eight years later, I’m still building. With sharper strategy, stronger evidence and a clear mission: turn learning into earning, give young Africans the mental foundations they need to thrive, and build the community systems that make opportunity last.
Three Pillars
Transforming Learning into Earning
Closing the gap between education and real meaningful income for young Africans.
Mental Health & Community Systems
You cannot build economic futures on foundations that are actively crumbling.
Policy & Systems Change
Individual programmes are not enough if the systems around young people stay broken.
Years in international development
Young people reached across 40 secondary schools in Nigeria
Programme budget managed (CAD)
Countries reached in R-WEF’s first pilot
Organisations I have worked with
What People Say
Worked with me, joined one of my programmes or heard me speak? I’d love to hear what it meant to you. Share a few words below.
The first thing I noticed was how well she taught us. Everything was broken down, explained clearly, and well structured. Then I noticed her structure and work rate. The team was small, but every single assignment was marked, and she personally taught us all six classes. She is incredibly hardworking, disciplined, and structured.
Then there’s her genuine love for youth development. You can tell that this is more than just work for her; she genuinely wants to see young people grow, become better, and discover what they are capable of.
Since I started my internship with her, it has been one of the most pleasant work experiences I have ever had. I absolutely love how she balances being a very good leader with being so friendly, warm, and welcoming.
I genuinely want to be a leader like her. There is not an ounce of toxicity in the way she leads. She works so hardddd, wants me to grow without putting unnecessary pressure on me, and corrects the team without making anyone feel small or inadequate.
She is an EXCELLENT leader, and I am genuinely so grateful that my first work experience has been under her leadership. I feel so lucky to be learning from someone like her this early in my journey.
Thank you so much, Miss Jess, for being such an incredible leader, mentor, and human being. I have learnt so much from you, and I know I will carry many of these lessons with me for a very long time.
FOR YOUNG AFRICANS
Letters from Jess
Every two weeks: one opportunity worth your time, one lesson from my own journey, and one move you can make this week. Straight to your inbox, like advice from a big sister who has done the work.
Free. Every two weeks. Unsubscribe any time.
