Spotlight of the Week: Rotimi Olawale – Championing Youth Development and Girls’ Education
This week, we shine the spotlight on Rotimi Olawale, a public policy expert and dedicated youth development advocate whose work has left an indelible mark on education, gender equality, and civil society across Nigeria and Africa. For over 20 years, Rotimi has championed the rights of young people, amplifying their voices and shaping policies that impact their future.
Rotimi’s journey into advocacy began early. In 2006, he represented Nigeria as a Youth Ambassador at the United Nations Global Youth Leadership Summit in New York. By 2008, the Nigerian government had recognized him as one of 15 youths making an impact on the global stage. Since then, he has held leadership positions such as serving as a member of the UNFPA Global Youth Advisory Panel and Chairperson of the African Youth Panel.
His expertise has also led him to advise high-profile organizations, including the African Union Special Envoy on Youth, where he contributed to policy-making and resource mobilization for youth-led initiatives across the continent.
As the co-founder and Executive Director of YouthHubAfrica, Rotimi has built one of the most influential platforms for youth engagement and advocacy in Africa. Since 2011, YouthHubAfrica has been at the forefront of driving conversations around education, governance, and gender equality. The platform has become a hub for young activists seeking to create meaningful change in their communities.
Rotimi is a firm believer in education as a tool for transformation, particularly for young girls. His efforts have led to significant progress in Nigeria’s legal landscape concerning children’s rights. With a Malala Fund grant, Rotimi has been instrumental in advocating for the domestication of the Child Rights Act in states such as Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, and Kaduna. His approach includes meeting with policymakers, engaging the media, and leading digital campaigns to ensure every child, particularly girls, has access to free and quality education.
His advocacy contributed to the passage of the Child Rights Act in Kaduna State in 2018, ensuring that every child in the state is entitled to education and that child marriage is prohibited. Additionally, his work with the Nigerian Education Champion Network led to the passage of an amendment to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act by the 8th Senate in 2017, increasing compulsory education from nine years to 12 years. The movement continues as efforts are underway to push for the amendment’s passage by the 9th National Assembly.
In 2014, following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Rotimi played a pivotal role in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, serving as its first spokesperson. His leadership helped bring global media attention to the plight of the abducted girls, pushing for government intervention and international support to secure their release. The campaign became one of the most recognized social justice movements in Africa, emphasizing the importance of safe education for all children.
Rotimi envisions a civil society that is strong, accountable, and free from oppression. He believes that non-profits should serve their communities first, not just their donors, and that civil society must play a key role in holding governments accountable while delivering critical services to the people.
Through his journey, Rotimi has learned that failure is not a destination. He believes that setbacks provide an opportunity to explore new ways of solving challenges. His persistence and innovative approach to advocacy continue to drive tangible results in youth and education policies across Africa.
From leading youth movements to influencing national and continental policies, Rotimi Olawale stands as a beacon of change. His work serves as a powerful reminder that dedicated, thoughtful citizens can transform societies, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
