FAME Foundation proudly joins the global community in commemorating International Youth Day 2025 on Tuesday, August 12. This day celebrates the resilience, creativity, and leadership of young people who are making significant contributions to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within their communities.

This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” emphasizes the power of community-driven youth efforts and the importance of supporting young people as key partners in building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.

Speaking on the importance of the day, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, stated:

“Young Nigerians are no longer waiting for permission or a place at the table. They are creating their own spaces through grassroots movements, digital activism, and community projects, making their voices heard louder than ever before. Many are using social media and digital platforms as content creators and educators, producing learning resources, tutorials, and awareness campaigns to help peers overcome barriers to quality education. Beyond that, they are leading initiatives to improve school infrastructure and advocate for policy changes. Through all these, their energy is driving change, reshaping communities across Nigeria every day.”

Over the years, FAME Foundation has created safe and inclusive spaces where youth can learn, lead, and succeed. Using sport as a tool to engage and educate, the Foundation promotes important life skills like leadership, teamwork, respect, and resilience.

To commemorate 2025 International Youth Day, Arabinrin Aderonke expressed the organisation’s commitment to youth unity and peacebuilding through sports;

“To mark this year’s International Youth Day, FAME Foundation facilitated a sports session in Kaduna, bringing together youth from different communities. Through sports, we are uniting young people, preventing radicalization, and promoting peacebuilding. The event included participants from Barkalawu, Rigasa, Kaduna North and South, and Lariya communities, including persons with disabilities, showing the inclusive nature of our programme. This project was funded and supported by the German development agency GIZ. We believe in the power of sports, and witnessing the positive impact in these communities motivates us to keep advancing our work.”

She added,

“Young people have always been at the center of every change in Nigeria. Their courage, ideas, and dreams are exactly what we need right now. When we listen to young people and support their ideas, we do not just help them, we help entire communities grow.”

She concluded by saying,

“This International Youth Day, FAME Foundation calls on governments, partners, and organizations to truly support programs for young people. This means providing access to good education, skills training, guidance, a chance to be heard, and protection from harm. Supporting youth should not be just for one day; it must be an ongoing effort because their work is building a better future for all.”

FAME Foundation is proud to stand with young people in Nigeria and beyond. We are committed to making sure their voices matter, their work is valued, and their leadership helps create a brighter future for everyone.