The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) has awarded N2.4 million in cash prizes and brand-new laptops to winners of its 2025 WeNaija Youth Creativity Contest, providing young Nigerians with a platform to address gaps in sexual and reproductive health education.
The prize presentation and accompanying events took place at the MTN Plaza Rooftop in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together health experts, youth advocates, and development partners for discussions, training sessions, and networking opportunities.
Five winners received prizes, with the fifth, fourth, third, and second runners-up awarded N200,000, N300,000, N400,000, and N500,000 respectively, alongside a laptop each. The first-place winner received N1 million and a laptop.
Managing Director and CEO of NSSF, Dr. Fejiro Chinyere-Nwoko, noted that the high number of submissions underscored the urgency of sexual-health challenges among young people. “We received over 400 entries, and one thing that stood out was that sexual-health challenges have become a salient issue. Many people assume that if they are older, they know about their sexual health, but there is a lot of ignorance. We hope to bridge that gap,” she said. She added that the WeNaija platform provides young Nigerians with access to data and institutional support to drive informed advocacy.
Public health specialist Dr. Oyindamola Alabi highlighted the risks of poor sexuality education, pointing to high rates of teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and rising HIV incidence among adolescents. “Young people want to hear this information from you. If they hear it from their peers, they may not get the right education,” she said.
Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, medical doctor and co-founder of TryPrivHealth, praised participants for addressing sexual-health concerns directly, emphasizing their awareness of systemic gaps.
Top prize winner, Alade Adedayo, shared that his submission aimed to spotlight the dangers of misinformation and stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health. “Studies show a rising increase in teenage pregnancy and HIV among adolescents, and I strongly believe that the major factor contributing to this increase is the lack of adequate sexual reproductive health education,” he said. Alade added that the award would support his budding videography career, providing both recognition and resources to further his creative pursuits.
The festival also featured panel discussions, advocacy workshops, and networking sessions designed to engage and empower young participants on sexual and reproductive health issues, reinforcing NSSF’s commitment to youth development and social impact.
For MSMEs, creative professionals, and youth-focused organizations, the WeNaija initiative highlights the value of combining technology, skill development, and social advocacy to cultivate talent, awareness, and meaningful community impact.
