Lagos Glocal Hub Spotlight

This month we are uplifting our Lagos Hub, based in Nigeria, and woven by Olabisi Idowu, Blessing Obasola, Oladunni Treasure, Adetola Odueke, and Yemi Lawal.

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The YouthxYouth Lagos Hub is a community empowering young people through education, mental health advocacy, and social change. As part of the global YouthxYouth movement, they focus on addressing mental health challenges like anxiety and depression through awareness campaigns, community engagement and digital skills training to reduce the rate of unemployment. Their monthly meetups, community outreaches, and school tours provide safe spaces for young people to connect and collaborate, fostering sustainable solutions to issues affecting young people in Lagos.

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We asked Olabisi, a weaver of this hub, a few questions to hear more about the revolutionary work happening in Lagos. Here's what she had to share:

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‍YouthxYouth: "How did the Lagos Hub begin?"

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Olabisi Idowu, Glocal Hub Weaver:

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"YouthxYouth since its first learning festival has always had a large participation of youths from Nigeria. The Lagos hub began in 2021 after the kickoff of the Global Action Circles program. It started as meetups of education activists coming together to address issues they were facing in their changemaking journey to inspire one another and take collective actions."

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‍YouthxYouth: "What kind of work has your hub been doing since inception?"

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Olabisi Idowu, Glocal Hub Weaver:

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"In the beginning, the hub had clusters of activists take on projects in climate action (reduction of plastic straws, climate education) and teachers capacity building. These projects evolved into the development of the Teachers Toolkit for youths posted to schools in that National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and later adapted to train teachers nationwide through a partnership with a community based organization called The Well Teachers Foundation. The hub has also organized digital and entrepreneurship skills training to youths in the state through an organization called Teensmata in partnership with the Lagos Youth Centers. Now the hub is focused on sensitizing youths on mental health and helping youth access mental health services and care."

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‍‍YouthxYouth: "What is your hub’s mission?"

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Olabisi Idowu, Glocal Hub Weaver:

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"The mission of the hub is to provide safe spaces for young people to thrive in Lagos and create the world of their deepest longing."

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‍YouthxYouth: "What work does your hub hope to do in the future?"

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Olabisi Idowu, Glocal Hub Weaver:

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"Lagos hub hopes to work extensively with mental health care providers to make mental health services accessible and affordable to young people. We also hope to work with policymakers to make mental health insurance accessible to every young person and reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental help."

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‍YouthxYouth: "What kind of future does your hub hope to see?"

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Olabisi Idowu, Glocal Hub Weaver:

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"Lagos hub hopes to see a world where the mental well-being of youths are taken seriously and mental health is seen as a health challenge that requires urgent attention. We also hope to see a future where children and youth rights are respected and protected."

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‍YouthxYouth: "If you could offer one piece of advice to all youth activists in Mbita, what would it be?"

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Olabisi Idowu, Glocal Hub Weaver:

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"Living in Lagos comes with many challenges, including unhealthy lifestyle choices, some of which are beyond your control. However, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being when you can. Embrace healthy habits, be open to seeking mental health support, and remember to care for yourself as you work to change the world."

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To keep updated on the Lagos Hub’s incredible work make sure to follow them on Instagram!