September Activist Spotlight: Blessing Obasola

Happy September 2024! This month for our Activist Spotlight we are spotlighting Blessing Obasola (she/her). Blessing is a Nigerian Youth Activist who is a current fellow in our 2024 Weavership cohort and a weaver of our Lagos Glocal Hub.

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Blessing Obasola is an advocate for children and teens educational development. She is an individual who is passionate about creating effective and productive learning outcomes in children while specializing in using specific education instruction practices at her place of primary assignment as a Nigerian Youth Corper. She has contributed immensely to her local community to ensure that learning environments are friendly and students' opinions are valued. She also makes sure that sound knowledge and moral values are instilled in learners while making a positive impact.

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As a Nigerian youth Corper serving in the education space in Ogun State, she has volunteered with a technology based organization (Tech4Dev) to advocate for the inclusion of STEM related practices in education systems. She also campaigned for bridging the digital knowledge gap between boys and girls in secondary school and encouraged young girls in secondary school to get equipped with digital skills and participate in STEM related courses, which will become effective tools for them to become great innovators and change-makers in the country.

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We asked Blessing a few questions to hear about how she understands education transformation and about her work. Here's what she had to say:

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YouthxYouth: “How did you enter the education transformation space?”

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Blessing: ‍

“I am someone who is passionate about education. I love to advocate for children’s education. I am also passionate about creating effective learning outcomes in children. One of the things I realized early on is children are not being given the quality of education that they need. This has given me a great cause for concern so that is how I started my advocacy within education. Now I always make sure while being in the education space or while teaching that their [the children’s] learning outcomes are very effective.”

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YouthxYouth: “What does education transformation mean to you?”

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Blessing:‍

“For me education transformation means adopting new ideas and new methods and an education system that allows for effective and continuous learning where everyone is included. A type of education where you can be anywhere in the world and you can still have access to education and there will be no limitations but rather it is equal for everyone.”

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YouthxYouth: “What inspires you in your work?”

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Blessing: 

“My love for helping people inspires me. I find that my role in the education space is my own contribution to helping people to learn. It also allows me to impact others around me. This helps me to keep my work going.”

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YouthxYouth: “What work would you like to do in the future?”

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Blessing:

“Something I’ve started and would love to keep going is trying to create effective learning outcomes for students. I’ve seen the impact and changes and it is something that gives me joy. It also helps students build their confidence, skills, and learning abilities. This is something I would love to continue doing.”

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YouthxYouth: “What are you currently working on?”

Blessing: 

“In the weavership I am currently working with Fito Network through the residency weaving practice and I’m currently working on a funding and fundraising project. I’m really enjoying this part of weaving and learning new things. I also get to work and learn from great minds. The gathering of change makers and innovators, in this circle [the Weavership], learning from each and everyone in this community has been great and inspiring.”

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YouthxYouth: “If you could describe the world of your deepest longing using 3 words, what would it be?”

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Blessing: 

“Sustainability, positive values, and creativity”

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We’re excited to follow Blessing’s continued journey as the remarkable weaver and youth activist she is and if you’d like to also stay connected with her inspiring work, follow Blessing on Instagram and Facebook!