From Nigeria’s toughest neighborhoods and underserved rural communities, a bold new generation of leaders is rising. They are not just activists. They are survivors, engineers, educators, and bridge builders who have lived through the systemic failures they are now determined to fix.
The Hammed Kayode Alabi (HKA) Changemaking Fund has officially unveiled its Top 20 finalists, spotlighting young innovators transforming lived experience into scalable community solutions. From a young innovator building alternative energy systems to an 18 year old law student reshaping conversations around abuse, these finalists represent local leadership with national promise.
The HKA Changemaking Fund was created to invest in what many call the missing middle — young leaders who have built proof of concept initiatives with little or no funding and are now ready to scale.
Through £500 grants, $100 seed awards, and a three month mentorship programme, the fund bridges the gap between potential and sustainable impact across healthcare, education, gender justice, green energy, and disability inclusion.
Speaking on the initiative, Hammed Kayode Alabi shared, “There is a narrative that young Africans cannot fund their own change and that it must always be externally led. I wanted to challenge that. I started by committing £1,100 of my own earnings to fund young leaders in Nigeria.”
He was later joined by Alex Tsado, Co Founder and Board Member of Alliance4AI, impact investor, and advisor, who came on board as a funder to support the movement. Together, they are currently funding eight young leaders in this cycle. Seeing others step forward reinforces the belief that when resources are placed in the hands of young people, they create sustainable change.
For the top two £500 winners, Peace First serves as the administrative partner for fund disbursement, connecting them into a global ecosystem of training and resources.
The Top two winners of the £500 award are Rabiat Muhammad, founder of LiteraKonnect, which restores what poverty tries to erase by using literacy and storytelling to help children see themselves as full participants in the world, and Edidiong Willie of Legendville Energy, developing affordable alternative energy systems for small businesses.
The $100 seed award recipients ranked in the Top 3–8 are Favour Nwabueze of Thrive Beyond Fibroids, Muhammed Husseni of Sick Kids Hospital Foundation, Motunrayo Sanyaolu of NeoBlankey, Precious Eniayekan of The Stellar Initiative and Boycode Africa, Oluwanifemi Olatunji of Redefining Narratives, and Joy Oluwatoyin Adeboye of Leadership and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
The remaining top 20 finalists include Ademide Animasaun; Aghogho Uniquette Akpoyovwaire; Victoria Chidinma Nwanne; Chisom Chukwuma; Bello-Balogun Fathiat Ajoke; Emediong Golden Richard; Dauda Zaynab; Adebisi Amori; Ridwan Ajimobi; Ternenge Moses Afashima; Fatima Mansir; and Isaiah Effiong.
Reading through the applications brought moments of tears and renewed belief in community driven leadership. The HKA Changemaking Fund is not simply funding projects. It is funding leadership, dignity, and the conviction that young Africans can invest in and lead their own development.
