EXCITING NEWS, KEMI IS LIVE 👏🏾🥰 Yesterday at the Transcorp Hilton, with support from @francediplo, we did something truly remarkable and feel very pumped about it. We gathered policy shapers, global leaders, civil society executives, and activists from various leading organisations around the West and Central Africa for the launch of “Kemi” - a survival-centred, multilingual AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot co-created by survivors of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (#TFGBV). Earlier this year, we conducted a multicountry online survey across six West and Central African countries to understand the awareness of #TFGBV, lived experiences, and barriers to seeking support. Analysis of the survey revealed that while 92% of the over 1,100 respondents experienced #TFGBV, including online harassment and non-consensual image sharing, only less than half of this number disclosed or reported these incidents. Their reasons? Stigma, fear of blame, and a lack of trust in available reporting or support systems which necessitated @hersafespace25 - the first AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot designed to address identified gaps in reporting and support for survivors of #TFGBV in West and Central Africa The event was also an opportune time to shed greater light on the prevalence of #TFGBV in Africa, as we launched other knowledge products, including the Methodological Report on the #TFGBV Database Development in West and Central Africa which provides broader perspectives on the rise of #TFGBV in Africa and recommends collective actions that can be taken to prevent it. Other knowledge products include; Staying Safe With Tao - a Guide Book on Becoming a Digital Champion; Power and Influence in Addressing #TFGBV in Nigeria; HerSafeSpace - Digital Safety Manual; and #TFGBV in Nigeria - Mapping Harms, Gaps and Pathways to Justice  The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Male Allyship Programme - a platform for a more coordinated approach where even the boy child is empowered with knowledge and resources to, through dialogue, education, and action, champion a safer digital space by eradicating all forms of Gender-Based Violence through speaking up, showing up, and standing against #TFGBV. This programme matters because research shows that over 60% of online abuse victims are women. The Allyship Programme stands tall to change this narrative - not just to balance the data, but to eradicate all forms of violence against persons. We were thrilled to inaugurate global leaders (in no particular order): @jayegaskia, a public affairs and political analyst; @NoelAlumona, a special education expert and founder of @boyschampionsNG; @rotexonline, the Executive Director of @youthhubafrica; Mac Imoni Amarere, board member at @ActionAid; @Husseini_abdul, the Director of Pan-African and New Power Advocacy Office at @Save_AU_Liaison; Mustapha Sheu, a development expert; @HamzyCode, the CEO of @Connected_dev and co-founder of @4lowthemoney; @Nwankpa_A, the acting Director General of @SMYFoundation and @Funsho_Olajide, the founder of Disability Not a Barrier Initiative into the Allyship. These experts bring years of experience in creating sustainable pathways to development, and we are very proud of the next steps we will take together from here. KEMI is live, share this post and let more people access Kemí. – at Abuja, Nigeria

A young person can hold a political title, attend policy meetings and still have no authority over what gets decided. At the West Africa Youth Democracy Conference in Dakar, a youth parliamentarian described living with that contradiction. His experience frames a new article by our Communications Director, @sannialausaissa. “A Movement Is More Than a Moment” examines what must happen after young people gain access to political spaces. Drawing from the conference, the Not Too Young To Run campaign and a lab on technology and civic participation, the article explores how young people can turn their numbers, relationships and public reach into political influence. For BBYDI, this question connects directly to our work in civic education, youth engagement and digital inclusion. Informing young people is only part of the task. They also need practical routes to shape policies, budgets and public decisions. We appreciate the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund for supporting Sanni’s participation and giving BBYDI the opportunity to contribute to this regional conversation. Read the full article on Medium: medium.com/@brainbuildersint… #YouthParticipation #PoliticalEducation #Democracy #NYFF #BBYDI

Today, we celebrate our Global Director, Abideen Olasupo. This is an opportunity to celebrate not just another year of your life, but also the leadership, commitment and vision you bring to Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative. Thank you for leading the team, pushing us to do better and staying committed to the work we do and the impact we hope to make. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow under your leadership. As you begin another year, we wish you good health, greater accomplishments, renewed strength and many more reasons to celebrate. Happy birthday, Sir! 🥳 With warm wishes from all of us at BBYDI. ❤️

More than 1,000 women applied for just 20 places in BBYDI’s Space for Her fellowship in 2022. That response showed how many women wanted an opportunity to prepare for political leadership. The fellows have since taken on roles across politics, public service and student leadership. Rukayat Shittu won a seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly, becoming its youngest member. Other fellows pursued a federal legislative candidacy, joined Kwara’s electoral commission, became a student union vice-president at the University of Ilorin, secured a YALI grant and participated in Yiaga Africa’s organising institute. Now, with support from the Colmena Fund, we’re bringing Space for Her 2.0 to Osun. The three-month intensive fellowship will support women political leaders and aspirants with training in civic leadership, digital safety and public communication, followed by year-round alumni mentorship. It is non-partisan and open to women across political parties, including those without a party affiliation. This support will also help us expand and retrain KEMI, our WhatsApp-based HerSafeSpace chatbot, to provide timely information and referrals for women facing violence before, during and after elections. Alongside this, we’ll strengthen our work to counter gendered disinformation used to discredit women in public life. Women need access to leadership opportunities and support to navigate the abuse that can come with stepping forward. We’ll share more soon, including eligibility requirements and how to apply. This work was made possible through the support of the Colmena Fund, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. #SpaceForHer #WomenInPolitics #BBYDI #Osun #ColmenaFund

We are calling on the Federal Government to work with states to prevent child marriage and remove the barriers keeping girls out of school. Our International Day of the Girl statement asks for stronger child protection, clear school re-entry guidance for pregnant girls and young mothers, and dedicated funding to help girls complete their education. Prevention must come first, alongside support for girls whose schooling has already been interrupted. These demands draw on our engagements in Kaduna through the Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project, which we implement with support from the Malala Fund. Read our full statement on the action we are asking federal and state authorities to take. #InternationalDayOfTheGirl #EndChildMarriage #FaithAndTraditionForGirlsEducation #BBYDI

A girl’s education should not end because marriage has been arranged for her. This year’s International Day of the Girl calls on us to end child marriage and invest in girls’ rights. As part of our work in Kaduna, this message must reach the homes and community spaces where decisions about girls’ lives are made. Parents can choose to keep their daughters in school. Traditional and religious leaders can challenge child marriage through council meetings, mosques, churches and community gatherings. Government institutions must also provide the laws, policies and funding girls need to complete their education. Girls who are married, pregnant or raising children still have the right to learn. Through the Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project, BBYDI is engaging traditional and religious leaders, advocating for stronger legal protection and a clear return-to-school circular, and developing a process to identify girls and connect them with suitable learning opportunities. Prevent child marriage. Keep girls in school. Support their return when education has been interrupted. The project is implemented by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative with support from the Malala Fund. #InternationalDayOfTheGirl #EndChildMarriage #FaithAndTraditionForGirlsEducation #BBYDI

A big thank-you to Luminate and the Southern Africa Trust. Most grants fund programmes. Fewer fund the things that keep an organisation able to run them well, the equipment staff work on every day, the room they work in. Those costs are the hardest kind to raise money for. So we're grateful Luminate and the Trust chose to back ours. This one goes to the team behind the work. Thank you, Luminate and Southern Africa Trust. #BBYDI #Luminate #SouthernAfricaTrust

When a girl’s education is interrupted by marriage, pregnancy or motherhood, the support she receives at home can determine if she returns to school. Traditional and religious leaders can influence that response because families already seek their guidance on important community matters. Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative visited traditional leaders in Makarfi, Kubau and Soba as part of our early relationship-building for the Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project. In Makarfi, we met Hakimi Adamu Abdullahi, Suliki Zazzau. He welcomed the project and spoke about how engaging community leaders could encourage more parents to educate their daughters. Our discussions focused on the influence traditional rulers have within families and communities. We explored how their monthly council meetings with district and ward heads can create space for conversations about keeping girls in school and supporting those who want to return after an interruption. These visits begin a longer process. BBYDI is building a Community of Practice on girl-child education that will bring traditional rulers and religious leaders together as advocates. We will test this model in Kaduna State, learn from its implementation and adapt it for other parts of Nigeria. The traditional rulers will also form part of the Kaduna Faith and Traditional Leaders Coalition for Girl-Child Education. Through the coalition, members will use their monthly council meetings to advocate for the re-enactment of the Child Rights Law and other measures that protect girls’ right to education. Coalition members will also co-create a Public Charter and Terms of Reference. These documents will set out their shared commitments, responsibilities and approach to advocating for girls’ education across Kaduna State. The goal is to turn trusted leadership into organised and sustained action for every girl who wants to begin, continue or return to education. The Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project is implemented by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative with support from the @MalalaFund #FaithAndTraditionForGirlsEducation #HerRightToReturn #GirlsEducation #KadunaState #BBYDI

More than 700 women applied for just 15 spots in our first Digital Safety Advocates Fellowship. That level of interest says a lot about the demand for practical digital-safety knowledge and support around technology-facilitated gender-based violence. And that was only one part of September at BBYDI. We also hosted our first Adolescent Girls Hangout in Kwara, deepened our girls’ education work in Kaduna, continued mentoring SheBuilds AI fellows, and took part in regional conversations on democracy and youth participation. Our September edition of The BBYDI Brief shares what happened, what we learned, and what comes next. Read the newsletter here: linkedin.com/pulse/700-women…

Call for Bids: IT Hardware Procurement & Security Configuration BBYDI invites authorised suppliers, integrators and resellers to bid for three high-performance laptops to be supplied, configured and deployment-ready. Spec: Apple M4 chip or newer (M5 preferred), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 13–14" (13" MacBook Air 2026 preferred), brand-new and factory-sealed, 1-year warranty. Delivered with FileVault encryption, endpoint protection, remote management and access controls. Submission deadline: 10 October 2026 Award: 11 Oct · Delivery & handover: 15–16 Oct To bid, be a CAC-registered authorised reseller/integrator with Tax ID, proof of reseller status and two hardware-contract references. Submit to [email protected] (cc [email protected]) Subject: "BBYDI Procurement – IT Equipment – [Vendor Name]" Full call: thebrainbuilders.org/call-fo…

Call for Bids: HVAC Equipment Procurement & Installation Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) invites licensed HVAC contractors and installation vendors to bid for the supply, installation and commissioning of five wall-mounted split air conditioners (1.5 HP minimum per unit) at its head office in Ilorin, Kwara State. The scope covers inverter units with R32 or R410A refrigerant and pure copper condenser coils, plus the full installation kit (piping, heavy-duty brackets, sealed drainage, isolators and wiring), supplied, mounted, wired and commissioned. A site survey is mandatory before bidding, held 7–8 October 2026 at the BBYDI office in Ilorin. The Site Visit Completion Form from that visit must accompany your bid. Enquiries: 0916 941 0679. To bid, you will need to be a licensed, CAC-registered contractor with relevant technical certifications and two past commercial HVAC references. Key dates: Submission deadline — 10 October 2026, 23:59 WAT Installation — 12–22 October 2026 Commissioning and sign-off — 24 October 2026 Submit your bid by email to [email protected], copying [email protected], with the subject line "BBYDI Procurement – HVAC Services [Vendor Name]". Include an itemised quotation and installation schedule, your Site Visit Completion Form, CAC registration and technical certifications, and two client references. Prices in Naira, valid at least 14 days. Read the full call: thebrainbuilders.org/call-fo…

A child who is afraid to ask a question needs a teacher who makes it safe to try. A girl returning to school after an interruption needs someone who welcomes her back without judgement. And a student encountering AI needs guidance on how to question its answers and use it responsibly. Teachers help make these moments possible. Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we at Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative celebrate the teachers who give young people room to learn, make mistakes and discover what they can do. Our work in education, AI literacy, and digital inclusion reinforces how much we ask of teachers. As classrooms change, they deserve access to practical training and teaching materials, alongside fair pay and working conditions that allow them to give students their best. That responsibility belongs to government, school leaders and everyone working to improve education, including organisations like ours. To the teachers taking time to explain a lesson again, noticing when a learner is struggling and encouraging girls to stay in school; thank you. We celebrate you today. #WorldTeachersDay #TeachersDay #BBYDI #Education

For a girl whose education has been interrupted by pregnancy, marriage or motherhood, returning to school can be difficult. Remaining there can be even harder. The pressures that pushed her out do not disappear when she re-enrols. Without the right support, missed classes can lead to another withdrawal from school. Staying gives her the opportunity to complete her education, sit for examinations and progress to the next level. This was a key part of our conversation with the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board on 9 September, when we introduced the Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project. SUBEB raised concerns about how physical discomfort and emotional changes during pregnancy can affect attendance. We discussed the support pregnant girls and young mothers may need to continue learning without being pushed out again. SUBEB has a gender desk and a specialised girls’ education unit. We explored how these structures could contribute to further work on re-entry, retention and dropout prevention. BBYDI also raised the need for a ring-fenced and publicly tracked budget line for girls’ re-entry, access to reliable education data and better monitoring of enrolment and retention. These were areas identified for further discussion, not confirmed commitments. A girl’s return should lead to consistent attendance, progress and completion. The Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project is implemented by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative with support from the @MalalaFund. #FaithAndTraditionForGirlsEducation #HerRightToReturn #GirlsEducation #KadunaState #BBYDI

A budget commitment means little if the funds are not released, spent as intended or reflected in the lives of the girls they are meant to support. As part of our early relationship-building for the Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project, we met with the Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) to discuss accountability for girls’ education in Kaduna State. KADBEAM conducts quarterly assessments of education budget performance. Our conversation explored how this experience could support the development of a dedicated Girls’ Education Budget Accountability Scorecard. The scorecard would help track government commitments to girls’ education, examine budget implementation and provide evidence for advocacy. It would also draw attention to the resources required to help girls affected by marriage, pregnancy and motherhood return to school and continue learning. We also discussed opportunities to coordinate advocacy for clearer return-to-school guidance and stronger implementation of education budgets. This engagement was an early step towards building the relationships needed to keep girls’ education visible in public budgets and policy decisions. The Faith and Tradition for Girls’ Education Project is implemented by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative with support from the @MalalaFund. #FaithAndTraditionForGirlsEducation #GirlsEducation #EducationAccountability #KadunaState #BBYDI

Nigeria is ours, not only to celebrate, but to defend, question, improve and build. As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, we are calling for stronger national unity, greater transparency in the management of public resources, and policies that put people first. As the 2027 general elections draw closer, this responsibility becomes even more important. Citizens must participate, ask questions, examine the records and policy positions of those seeking public office, reject division and misinformation, and make informed electoral choices. We also call on political parties, electoral institutions and public authorities to protect a level playing field and safeguard the credibility of the electoral process. Patriotism should not require silence. We can remain loyal to Nigeria while demanding accountability, fairness and better leadership. Our country belongs to all of us, and so does the responsibility to make it work. Read our full Independence Day statement. #NigeriaAt66 #IndependenceDay #Nigeria #Democracy #Accountability #GoodGovernance #CitizenParticipation #BBYDI