“As young people and feminists, we are living in a global polycrisis where overlapping political, social and environmental challenges are threatening our collective resilience. Now more than ever, we need more spaces that support young women and girls in finding their voices in these times.”
— Jennifer Uchendu, Founder of SustyVibes
About
Lotus by SustyVibes is our leadership training programme for women and girls navigating activism, creativity, and community leadership in a time of global polycrisis. Across the continent, young women are organising, creating, and speaking out against systems that limit their rights and opportunities. Yet many of them are doing this work while navigating burnout, isolation, and structural barriers. Lotus brings young women together in a supportive learning community where leadership development, feminist learning, and personal wellbeing exist side by side. Through training sessions, intergenerational dialogue, creative exploration, and wellness practices, Lotus supports young women to lead with clarity, courage, and care for themselves and their communities.

How Lotus Is Designed
Lotus runs as a 12-week learning journey designed around collective learning, reflection, and feminist practice. Each cohort moves through a series of weekly sessions that combine virtual conversations, in-person gatherings, and moments for rest and renewal.

Learning Sessions
The ladies explore themes such as African feminism, rights and representation, feminist leadership, storytelling, and advocacy.

Intergenerational Dialogues
Feminist elders and leaders join the programme to share their experiences, insights, and lessons from years of organising and advocacy.

Wellbeing and Renewal
Recognising the emotional demands of activism and social change work, the programme integrates wellness practices such as breathing sessions, somatic exercises, yoga and reflective breaks.

Peer Community
Participants build relationships with other young women navigating similar journeys, creating a supportive network that continues beyond the programme.

Celebration and Reflection
Each cohort concludes with a close-out gathering that celebrates participants' work and reflections from the programme.

Unapologetic Feminists and Gender Advocates
Participants in this cohort explore feminist leadership, collective organising, and storytelling for advocacy. They examine how personal narratives and community experiences can challenge gender inequality and influence public conversations.

Adesola Adekanbi is a passionate and purpose-driven young leader committed to creating meaningful impact through communication, advocacy, and community engagement. With a strong interest in personal development, education, faith, and feminism, Adesola continues to seek growth opportunities while building a career path that blends communication, advocacy, and digital skills.
Adesola Adekanbi

Boluwatife is a community health worker and program manager passionate about youth empowerment, digital literacy, and sustainable development. With over three years of experience in driving change, she works to improve health access and education in underserved communities.
Boluwatife Ogungbesan

Omolayo is a passionate advocate for social justice, with a focus on gender equity, sexual and reproductive health rights, and youth empowerment. With a background in public health and community organising, she works at the intersection of advocacy, storytelling, and policy reform to amplify the voices of marginalised groups, especially adolescent girls, young women, and gender-diverse individuals.
Omolayo Ogunyemi

Kosarachi is a sign language interpreter and amputee. She is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and social justice, with a strong commitment to empowering marginalised communities, particularly people living with disabilities. Having personally experienced the barriers that come with disability, she understands the transformative impact of inclusive leadership.
Nwagbo Kosarachi

Ngozi Ugbekile is a Pharmacist, writer, and digital storyteller passionate about women, migration, health, and building inclusive futures. She recently completed the MasterCard Foundation Associate Program, where she worked with a social enterprise focused on youth development, digital skills, and migration advocacy.
Ngozi Ugbekile

Rahila Namah is a computer engineer with a postgraduate degree in technology, entrepreneurship, and design. She has experience in Product Management and Business Strategy, with a strong focus on using technology to address real-world challenges. She is the Co-founder of Zimma Foundation, dedicated to bridging the gender gap in STEM.
Rahilah Namah

Sakeenat is a recent graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Her work focuses on fibre-optic infrastructure (FTTH) under the MTN FTTX project. She has been on a quiet but intentional journey of self-discovery, learning to speak up, take up space, and embrace her evolving identity as a young Nigerian woman passionate about impact, growth, and community.
Sakeenat Adesina

Elizabeth Aransiola is a passionate public health and gender equality advocate with 4 years of experience leading health projects in vulnerable communities. As a trustee of the Caroline Omolara Foundation, she focuses on hypertension and menstrual hygiene initiatives.
Elizabeth Aransiola

Omolola Akinsanya is a strategist with experience in business intelligence, innovation, and research, having worked at a leading financial institution. She is committed to expanding her focus to specifically support women and foster greater gender equity.
Omolola Akinsanya

Dolapo Sarah Salako is a career and business strategist with a strong background in executive management, entrepreneurship, and financial analysis. She strives to create spaces where women can realise their full potential, thrive in their careers, and contribute meaningfully.
Dolapo Salako

Esther Ezem is a dedicated feminist advocate and development practitioner working at the intersection of education, gender equality, and LGBTQIA+ rights in West Africa. She is committed to intersectional feminist values and strives to create equitable opportunities for youth, queer, and intersex communities across Africa.
Esther Ezem

Ope Omole is a product manager with 3+ years of making things happen in building and managing software products. From contributing to solving real-world challenges like tech innovations for carbon footprint reduction to creating products that improve day-to-day life, Ope is all about making an impact with purpose.
Ope Omole

Chidimma Okoye is a social media and content strategist who helps beauty, skincare, and lifestyle brands build authentic connections online. Beyond her creative work, Chidinma is passionate about using digital platforms to advocate for social change.
Chidinma Okoye

Ifeoluwa Aigbiniode is passionate about gender justice, education access, and sustainable development in Nigeria and the broader African continent. Her long-term interests lies in international economic diplomacy, with a focus on integrating gender justice and technology policy into global development frameworks.
Ifeoluwa Aigbiniode

Chidera is an intersex activist committed to inclusion and gender justice. They are passionate about seeing women empowered to express their full selves in every aspect of life. Their work focuses on raising awareness about intersex rights, challenging harmful norms, and mobilising communities for greater visibility and policy inclusion.
Chidera Elobuike

Oyindamola Odekanmi is a graduate of Geography and Planning Sciences. She is deeply passionate about education and is committed to seeing women excel in male-dominated sectors. She is the author of Thrive - Students' Utterances To Success.
Oyindamola Odekanmi

Ayomide currently works as a Management Consultant, working on a myriad of topics from health to social impact. Before this, she worked as a medical doctor. Outside of work, she volunteers as a Director of Programmes for a Charity promoting diversity in Medicine.
Ayomide Ayorinde

Favour Ejindu has a degree in international Law and diplomacy. She is a professional social media specialist, content creator, copywriter, and community manager. Favour is passionate about growth, result driven and obsessed with any and every conversation that promotes the wellbeing of all women.
Favour Ejindu

Creatives
This cohort brings together artists, writers, performers, and storytellers who use creative expression to explore social issues. Participants explore artivism and the role of creative practice in shaping feminist narratives and cultural change.

Precious Obiabunmo is a marketing and communications professional and the founder of Reclaimed Bible Women, a YouTube channel that explores how faith, scripture, and patriarchy shape the lives of African women.
Precious Obiabunmo

Adeṣewa Alagbala is an award-winning Nigerian spoken word poet, voice-over artist, songwriter, and event host whose work is rooted in faith, creativity, and cultural depth. Her poem 'Poor You, Poor Me!' was featured in the international anthology Love Is A Divine Fragrance.
Adesewa Alagbala

Esohe Ewaenosa Iyare is a Lagos-based cultural analyst whose research and writing focus on digital culture, women, minority perspectives, and the African experience. She has produced stories for The Republic Journal, Radio Workshop, Voix Collective, Minority Africa, Document Women etc.
Esohe Iyare

Damilola Kehinde is a Filmmaker, Creative Producer, and Content Strategist with a passion for storytelling that inspires and transforms. As a child who grew up in an environment where she often felt marginalised because of her Gender, Damilola naturally gravitated toward storytelling, film, and media.
Damilola Kehinde

Christianah Odunayo is a Nigerian metal sculptor, recycled artist, and feminist advocate whose work explores the intersections of sustainability, culture, and women's empowerment. She holds a degree in Fine and Applied Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University.
Christianah Odunayo Balogun

Glory Duruem is a Nigerian creative writer who works in media and communications. She has consistently used writing, scripting, and storytelling as a tool to amplify women's voices and spark conversations around gender roles, body autonomy, and societal expectations.
Glory Duruem

Divine Darby Ephraim is a passionate communicator, journalist-in-training, and creative entrepreneur based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. She works with UDEME, a social accountability project under CJID, tracking government-funded projects and reporting on issues that affect communities.
Divine Darby

Oluwapelumi Oyetade (Pelumi) is a passionate changemaker, storyteller, and advocate for girls in STEM from Nigeria. She is the Founder of Bloom in STEM and an Ashoka Young Changemaker and Girl in Bloom Global Ambassador.
Oluwapelumi Oyetade

Chizoba Joyce Eke is the proud owner of Chizzies Bakery, a sweet haven where baking meets passion. She is currently a 300-level student of Business Administration at the National Open University of Nigeria.
Joyce Eke

Aghogho Tega Onobrakpeya is a Nigerian writer and filmmaker who's drawn to supernatural, fantasy and feminist stories, told through the African voice and experience. She was a co-writer on the Nigerian TV series Grind (Prime Video, 2023-2025).
Aghogo-Tega Onobrakpeya

Nora Chinenye Okoye is a woman who believes that creativity should taste as good as it looks and that art can inspire change. As the founder of Jadora Bakery, Nora transforms flour, sugar, and vision into hyper-realistic cakes that tell stories.
Nora Okoye

Princess Briggs is a mixed-race Nigerian writer, editor, and content creator whose work centers on representation, identity, and human connections. She has served as Senior Editor at The 21 Magazine and Lifestyle & Wellness Editor at Girlily.
Princess Briggs

Faizat Shuaib is an essayist and visual artist working primarily with photography. Her works explore the theme of womanhood and existentialism. She loves challenging inherited narratives and reimagining how women are represented.
Faizat Shuaib

Peter Janet is a 23 year-old Nigerian lesbian, writer, and creative dedicated to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, sexual health, and social inclusion. She also runs Lilith Desires & Co. a business centered on sexual wellness.
Peter Janet

Oluwaseun Oyedele is a textile designer, cultural producer, multidisciplinary creative entrepreneur, circular economy advocate and storyteller. As the founder of Seun'dele, she crafts artisanal pieces that celebrate tradition while embracing modernity.
Oluwaseun Oyedele

Chioma Cherish Udonna is a creative writer, visual artist, spoken word artist and lover of God. Currently she is a student of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos and also a volunteer at Unilag Tv.
Chioma Udonna

Merit C. Nwachukwu, also known as GOZIE, writes fiction and poetry. Her works have appeared in Arts Lounge, The Muse Journal, and Poetic Sun. Her short story, How Angels Live, made the 2019 Princewill Okigbo Prize shortlist.
Merit Nwachukwu

Ecofeminists and Environmental Advocates
Participants working at the intersection of climate justice and gender equality explore ecofeminism, environmental leadership, and the role of women in shaping sustainable futures.

Zainab Abike Kadiri-Lawal is an environmental advocate, and circular design innovator passionate about transforming waste into opportunity. She is the founder of Zannytecture Recycling Company Limited.
Zainab Kadiri-Lawal

Gabrielle Eze

I am a Hospitality Consultant who brings a unique psychological edge to customer experience. With a degree in Guidance and Counselling, I understand exactly what drives client satisfaction and retention.
Shitna'an Linus
Nana is an early-career communications/marketing strategist and emerging climate storyteller whose work sits at the intersection of gender, media, and sustainability. She earned the Outstanding Fellow Award and Career Mentorship Award.
Nana Augoye

Lawal Kikelomo is an environmental advocate focused on clean air, climate justice, and community wellbeing. Through UrbanBetter, she leads youth-centered air quality monitoring. She has spoken at global platforms including COP29.
Kikelomo Lawal

Oluchi Okonkwor is a Customer Experience and Administrative professional with solid experience in customer service management, virtual assistance, and people management.
Oluchi Okonkwor

Oluokun Oyinkansayo is a dedicated 400-level law student at the University of Lagos, deeply passionate about advocacy, legal research and driving conversations that bridge law with social impact.
Oyinkansayo Oluokun

I am a graduate of Environmental Sustainability from the University of Ibadan. I have participated in numerous environmental projects, most recently the 'Transforming West Africa' project in partnership with Planet 3R.
Oluwaseun Abijo

Oluwaseun Ilesanmi is a sustainability enthusiast, social impact volunteer, and emerging eco-feminist with a passion for people, community, and environmental justice.
Oluwaseun Ilesanmi

Amanda Okhiaofe Etsu is a public health professional with a strong focus on environmental and occupational health, drawing from experience that includes supporting World Health Organization (WHO)-backed initiatives.
Amanda Etsu

Maye is a seasoned broadcast journalist, passionate storyteller, academician, monitoring and evaluation professional, and an advocate with deep commitment to using her voice to inspire change.
Mayeloye Esther

Abigail Timothy is a committed and results-oriented professional with an academic foundation in Biochemistry and hands-on experience in environmental and analytical services.
Abigail Timothy

Ado Aishat is a 400-level Environmental Health Science student at Kwara State University with practical experience in climate communication, environmental advocacy, and digital content strategy.
Aishat Ado
Boluwatife Grace Adetayo is a feminist, human rights advocate, climate change advocate and lawyer who is committed to advancing equality and justice in all spaces.
Adetayo Boluwatife

Oluwaseyi Olukoya

Edna Oseghale

I am a motivated and ambitious young professional with a background in Industrial Physics, focusing on renewable energy. I currently work as a Project Engineer Jr in the oil and gas servicing sector.
Sarah Olotu

I've spent most of my life in Lagos. Currently studying communication in Unilag while interning at BusinessDay as a journalist with a fragrance business on the side.
Ezinne Nnorom

I am an education professional, online tutor, and founder of Uniquebest Global Academy. I work with children across the UK, US, and Nigerian curricula.
Damilola Omotosho

Joy Eneh
Our Faculty
Guided by experienced leaders.

Chioma Agwuegbo
Executive Director, TechHerNG
Benedicta Oyedayo Oyewole
Regional Community Engagement and Partnership Lead, IPPF Africa Region

Olaoluwa Abagun
Executive Director, ATHENA Network

Osasu Edobor
Founder, Think Help Restore (THR) Media

Jennifer Uchendu
Founder, SustyVibes

Cynthia Mbamalu
Director of Programs, Yiaga Africa

Olabunkola Buky Williams
Executive Director, Education as a Vaccine (EVA)

Bose Agbonmerele Ireti
Founder & Executive Director, Women's Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)

Gbemi Adekoya
Psychotherapist

Adenike Essiet
Co-founder & Executive Director, Action Health Incorporated (AHI)
Wana Udobang
Writer, poet, performer and storyteller
Chiamaka Dike
Digital Journalist

Maryam Ahmad
Communications Strategist

Nafisa Atiku
Founder of NAF Foundation

Von Izulu
Founder of Von Wellness

Amanda Iheme
Architecture photographer and clinical psychologist

Tolulope Ami-Williams
Multidisciplinary performance artist and art educator

Busola Rafiat Ojo-Oba

Monica Rodrigues

Zainab Yunusa

Rita Idehai

Dr. Priscilla Mbarumun Achakpa
Intergenerational Wisdom
Meet Our Sages

“This is about patriarchy or a system that elevates male authority over female authority, but we each can challenge those oppressions and privileges by trying to understand that we are better off when we equally have opportunities and we are all protected.”
Dr Amina Salihu
Deputy Director, MacArthur Foundation Africa Office

“What makes an African feminist unique, is that we believe in the power of collectives. I believe that if I hold the hand of one girl and another girl holds the hand of another girl, then we can have a ripple effect of women coming together, to push and change the world.”
Ngozi Nwosu Juba
Project Director, Vision Springs Initiatives

“African feminism is a feminism that advocates that African women be fully human, tackling cultural practices that dehumanize African women and challenges issues that ensure African women have a place in the world and are able to stand toe to toe with any other woman from any other region.”
Angel Nduka-Nwosu
Editor and Founder, The Emecheta Collective

“Feminism is about the fact that when you are born, you are first a human being before anything else and therefore you should also have human rights and you should be seen as a full-fledged member of society not a second class citizen.”
Elizabeth Enu Akan
Founder, Network for Safeguarding Women's Health And Rights

“Feminism in Africa is not just about breaking barriers but about bridging the gap between tradition and progress, women and power, and dreams and opportunities. Every young woman must know that their voice is a force, their ideas are valid, and should never apologize for wanting more.”
Hannah Omokhaye
Founder, The EcoSmart Club Project

“As a woman with visual impairments, I understood early that a woman who has a disability is in double jeopardy, and discrimination does not reduce its effect because you have a disability; in fact, it amplifies, and you have to navigate through that. So my lived reality and personal experiences channeled me in the direction of gender and disability advocacy.”
Eleanora Boyo
House of Eleanora Foundation

“Everybody should actually be feminists, not just women and girls, because the systematic barriers, discrimination, gender based violence are obvious and are not hidden from our everyday life. Yes, people are coming out and are advocating for these issues but we need more voices.”
Rahma Jimoh
Poet and Freelance journalist
Partners



Community
Lotus participants remain part of our community after the programme, building a growing network of feminist leaders, creatives, and environmental advocates supporting one another across different sectors.

