The Executive Director of AYGF, Dr Arome Salifu, led the Communications team on a courtesy visit to the Managing Editor of Leadership Newspaper Nigeria, Raliat Ahmed-Yusuf and her team. Media partnerships are paramount to organisations, especially NGOs like the Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF). They play a role in disseminating information about key operations and projects, raising public awareness, enhancing partnerships, and encouraging more people to join our mission and cause. Leadership Newspaper Nigeria is a key strategic media house that asserts itself as an organisation that stands up for good governance and defends the interests of Nigerians at all times. Collaborating with them will enable us to effectively communicate our initiatives and successes to a broader audience, amplifying our impact and furthering our objectives.

AYGF Niger actively participated in the flag-off of this year’s first round of Optimized Maternal and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Minna. AYGF, a proud sponsor of all MNCHW rounds in the state, reaffirms its support and collaboration with the Ministry of Primary Health Care and the state government. Stakeholders from ANRiN, AYGF, UNICEF, and WHO were also present, underscoring the broad support for this vital health initiative.

AYGF played a crucial role in the recent WASH in Emergencies (WiE) Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR). Represented by Programs Officer Imaga Oji, AYGF presented a significant report detailing the discovery of heavy metal poisoning in the Gaidau settlement of Sokoto State’s Illela LGA. This report sheds light on a severe public health crisis in the Gaidau settlement, where high levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, and zinc oxides have been detected in water, soil, and local produce. The contamination has impacted the community’s health, with 55% of water samples showing E. coli contamination. WASH is a cornerstone of public health, and its importance is magnified during emergencies when existing services are often overwhelmed. Without adequate WASH services, the spread of diarrhoea and infectious diseases can accelerate, posing a significant threat to affected populations. The TWG aims to enhance the capabilities of institutions and promote knowledge sharing and best practices in WASH management.

The AYGF team led by the Executive Director Dr. Arome Salifu paid a courtesy visit to Palladium. Received by the Country Director  Oiza Nicholson, and her team, the strategic meeting touched on the need to increase impact, and performance in the development space in Nigeria. Both organisations further discussed possible working partnerships, especially in the area of technical support and exploring new opportunities.

AYGF joined the rest of the world to commemorate Workers Day on the 1st of May with a short video to serve as a reminder that we value their dedication  To our dedicated and resilient workers in our various offices who work tirelessly to improve the lives and overall health of people in different communities, we say THANK YOU. Enjoy the video documented for the celebration of Worker’s Day at AYGF. Click Here

Climate change poses a growing threat to sustainable development, particularly affecting marginalized communities with minimal contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. The 2022 Climate Vulnerability Index highlights Sub-Saharan Africa as a region at higher risk, impacting countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Central African Republic, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Eritrea. This aligns with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s confirmation that Central Africa, West Africa, and East Africa are prominent global theaters for human vulnerability to Climate-friendliness, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. The Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) has consistently demonstrated its commitment to climate change and green growth with initiatives focused on economically empowering growth, decarbonization, climate friendliness, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. The Environment, Climate Change, and Migration cluster diligently works towards enhancing climate resilience and adopting a low-carbon development path, aligning with the third Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025. AYGF’s impactful projects include the Earth Restoration Campaign launched in 2022, emphasizing sensitization, education, and empowerment. The SEE Project, funded by ECOWAS, provided vocational skills training, including Green Skills, for refugees. In 2022, AYGF collaborated with various governmental and non-governmental entities such as the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Health, NIMASA, NOSDRA, and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation for the Earth Restoration Campaign. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about practices contributing to climate change. Additionally, AYGF addressed extreme flooding in Nigeria through a Press Conference, urging the Federal Government and stakeholders to commit to tackling this critical issue. In 2023, AYGF continued its environmental efforts with the Zero Waste Campaign, themed “Turning Waste to Wealth.” Collaborating with Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future, AYGF, Eco cycle, and other CSOs embarked on practical cleanup exercises in underserved areas. Furthermore, in partnership with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), AYGF outlined solutions for bridging the climate financing gap between the global North and the Global South. AYGF’s unwavering commitment to climate change action showcases the pivotal role youth-led organizations play in addressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable development. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimates that climate change adaptation costs across Africa could surge to $50 billion annually by 2050, even if global temperatures do not exceed a 2°C rise above pre-industrial levels. Despite global commitments under the Paris Agreement to limit temperature increases, African nations face a significant challenge. The need for approximately $500 billion in 2030, as outlined in the 2022 Africa Economic Outlook, underscores the urgency for financing climate initiatives. The impediments of low commitment, limited access to finance, skills, and capacity building hinder positive outcomes. African leaders must unite, leveraging their considerable resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.