A collaborative initiative by Cohort 2 alumni is reshaping educational access and quality across Northern Nigeria, demonstrating the power of network-based impact.
The Collaboration
What began as informal conversations during fellowship sessions has evolved into one of the most impactful alumni collaborations to date. Five alumni from different professional backgrounds came together around a shared passion for education:
- Ruth Ki (Cybersecurity) — Digital literacy curriculum
- Fahad Abubakar (IT/Governance) — Policy advocacy
- Amina Sulaiman (Legal) — Girls' education rights
- Jabir Yahya (Civic Engagement) — Community mobilization
- Joseph Waribugo (Development) — Program coordination
Program Components
Digital Skills Academy
Ruth Ki's digital skills academy for young women has expanded to five states, with:
- 6-month training programs in web development, data analysis, and digital marketing
- 78% employment rate among first cohort of 50 graduates
- State government partnerships for sustainability
Policy Advocacy
Fahad Abubakar successfully advocated for:
- Increased budget allocation to education in Sokoto State
- Digitalization of education records
- Teacher training program expansion
Legal Aid for Education Access
Amina Sulaiman's team provided pro bono legal support for:
- 120 cases of denied school enrollment
- Advocacy for Almajiri education reform
- Policy briefs on girls' education barriers
Community Reading Hubs
Joseph Waribugo established reading hubs in partnership with the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association:
- 15 hubs across underserved communities
- 5,000+ books distributed
- Weekly reading sessions with volunteer mentors
Learning & Scaling
The collaboration has generated important lessons about:
- Cross-sector partnerships in education
- The role of young professionals in policy change
- Sustainable program design
The alumni team is documenting their approach for replication by future cohorts.