Hesed World Strategic Engagements in Abuja

Between 15–22 August 2025, the Hesed World team, led by President and Founder Kiki Lawal, undertook a series of strategic visits in Abuja aimed at strengthening partnerships for youth development and empowerment. The delegation included Advisory Member Kayode Fagbemi, Country Focal Point (Nigeria) and Project Manager Ebunoluwa Adebiyi, and Communications Support Officer Onotina Imoudu. Together, they engaged with key institutions to explore opportunities for advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment for Nigerian youth.

WIPO at UN House

On 15 August 2025, our delegation visited the UN House in Abuja, where we had the privilege of meeting Dr. Moody Oluwatobilola, Director at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and a featured speaker at our Nigerian Fireside Chat in February 2025.

The conversation focused on identifying potential areas of collaboration to expand pathways for Nigerian youth through innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. This exchange reaffirmed Hesed World’s commitment to building inclusive opportunities for the next generation and highlighted WIPO’s important role in supporting youth-led innovation ecosystems.

Ministry of State for Industry

On 18 August 2025, Kiki Lawal, together with Ebunoluwa Adebiyi and Onotina Imoudu, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of State for Industry. The delegation was honoured to meet the Honourable Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, to present Hesed World’s mission and discuss possible avenues for collaboration.

The conversation emphasized addressing challenges faced by Nigerian youth, particularly around employability and enterprise development. Our team shared details of Hesed World’s programmes and explored ways the Ministry could engage with these efforts. We appreciate Senator Enoh’s openness to dialogue, which represents a valuable step toward building stronger youth-focused policy and programming in Nigeria.

Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning: Ensuring Legal Compliance

On 18 August 2025, at 3:30 p.m., Kiki Lawal, joined by Kayode Fagbemi, Ebunoluwa Adebiyi, and Onotina Imoudu, visited the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. The team was warmly received by Deputy Assistant Director Abdullahi Yakubu, who provided guidance on the legal and administrative processes required for Hesed World, as a Swiss-based NGO, to be formally operational in Nigeria.

This engagement offered clarity on compliance frameworks and next steps. Hesed World extends its gratitude to Mr. Yakubu for his valuable advice and support in navigating this important process.

Swiss Embassy: Learning from Switzerland's Dual Education Model

On 19 August 2025, the delegation visited the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria and engaged in dialogue with H.E. Siamak Rouhani (Deputy Head of Mission/Counsellor) and Ms. Ojoma Ali (Migration and Peace Policy Specialist).

Discussions focused on Switzerland’s dual education system, which combines academic and vocational pathways and has been effective in reducing unemployment while equipping young people with practical skills. The delegation and Embassy officials also reflected on addressing irregular migration (“JAPA phenomenon”) by creating viable alternatives through vocational training and mindset transformation.

The meeting also covered the joint GIZ and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) project – Skills Development for Youth Employment, Phase II (SKYE II), which promotes needs-based Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria. A follow-up meeting was agreed upon to further explore how Hesed World might contribute to and support this initiative.

This exchange deepened mutual understanding and opened space for potential collaboration in youth development strategies.

Federal Ministry of Youth Development

On 22 August 2025 at 11:00 a.m., the Hesed World delegation visited the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja. They were received by Mr. Mike Nwaogwu (Acting Director of Enterprise Development and Promotion), Mrs. Grace C. Leleh (Acting Director, Youth Migration and Climate Action Resilience Department), and senior ministry officials, for a follow-up meeting convened under the directive of Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

The discussions reaffirmed strong alignment between Hesed World’s mission and the Ministry’s mandate to empower youth through skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and enterprise support. Both sides expressed a willingness to explore opportunities for collaboration, including the possible establishment of a joint committee to co-create impactful youth programmes.

Building Sustainable Opportunities

These engagements between 15–22 August 2025 represent an important step in Hesed World’s mission to create sustainable pathways for young people across Africa. As our first pilot country, Nigeria has provided invaluable insights and a strong foundation for our work.

Our conversations spanned topics such as innovation, entrepreneurship, migration solutions, vocational training, mindset transformation, and the legal framework for operations. While discussions are still ongoing, they have opened doors for deeper collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The lessons learned, relationships built, and frameworks discussed during this week will inform Hesed World’s approach as we expand to our other pilot countries, Malawi and Kenya.

We are deeply grateful to all our hosts for their warm reception and thoughtful engagement. Together, we are beginning to lay the groundwork for initiatives that equip young people with the skills, opportunities, and mindset needed to succeed in an evolving global economy.

As these conversations continue, we remain committed to co-creating sustainable, locally relevant solutions that empower the next generation of African leaders.