The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) awarded N2.4 million in cash prizes and brand-new laptops to winners of its 2025 WeNaija Youth Creativity Contest, a platform that allowed young Nigerians to address gaps in sexual and reproductive health education.
The prize presentation and associated events took place at the MTN Plaza Rooftop in Ikoyi, bringing together health experts, youth advocates, and development partners for discussions, training sessions, and networking opportunities. Five winners were recognised, with the fifth to second runners-up receiving N200,000, N300,000, N400,000, and N500,000, respectively, along with laptops, while the first-place winner received N1 million and a laptop.
Managing Director and CEO of NSSF, Dr Fejiro Chinyere-Nwoko, highlighted the high number of entries as indicative of the urgent sexual-health challenges facing young people. “We received over 400 entries, and it became clear that sexual-health issues are a critical concern. Many assume older people know about sexual health, but there is a lot of ignorance. We hope to bridge that gap,” she said, noting that the WeNaija platform provides youth with access to data and institutional support for advocacy.
Public health specialist Dr Oyindamola Alabi stressed the dangers of poor sexuality education, including rising teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increasing HIV incidence among adolescents. “Young people want to hear this information from you. If they hear it only from peers, they may not get the right education,” she warned.
Dr Olusina Ajidahun, co-founder of TryPrivHealth, praised participants for directly addressing sexual-health concerns. “Young people explored the topic from different angles, demonstrating awareness that the system is not functioning as it should,” he said.
Top prize winner, Alade Adedayo, said his entry aimed to highlight the dangers of silence, misinformation, and stigma around sexual and reproductive health. “Studies show teenage pregnancy and HIV rates are rising due to inadequate sexual education. Being silent or spreading half-truths is dangerous. We must teach facts,” he stressed. Alade also noted that his prize would support his videography career, helping him acquire a quality camera while giving him recognition and confidence in his creativity.
The WeNaija 2025 festival included panel discussions, advocacy workshops, and networking sessions designed to equip young participants with knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage effectively in sexual and reproductive health advocacy.
This initiative underscores NSSF’s commitment to youth empowerment, providing financial support, technological tools, and platforms for young Nigerians to drive social change and address critical health challenges.
