In a bid to tackle key health challenges facing Nigerian youths, The Innovation and Design Thinking Academy (TIDA), in collaboration with Our Voice As Light (OVAL), recently concluded a three-day training program for 20 young individuals in Ibadan. The program, titled “Innovate 4 Impact Designathon 2.0,” focused on empowering participants to address critical health issues within their communities.
The comprehensive training, held at the NNLG Tech Hub Building, University of Ibadan, equipped the youths with the skills and knowledge to tackle challenges related to sexual reproductive health, mental health, climate change, and gender-based violence. The Co-Founder of TIDA, Dr. AbdulHammed Babatunde, explained that the goal was to help young people leverage their potential to create innovative solutions to societal problems.
Dr. AbdulHammed Babatunde emphasized the importance of youth involvement in health advocacy, noting that young people have the capacity to lead change. “This is the second edition of the Innovate 4 Impact Designathon,” he said. We believe that young people have the power and capacity to solve the problems affecting their society.
Sexual Reproductive Health: With high rates of sexually transmitted diseases among young people, this area focused on promoting awareness and education about sexual health and safe practices.
Climate Health: Participants learned about the impact of climate change on public health, particularly for younger generations who will face its long-term consequences.
Gender-Based Violence:The rise of sexual harassment and violence against women and adolescents was another critical issue tackled during the training, encouraging participants to become advocates for change.
Mental Health:The high prevalence of mental health issues among young people was also a focus, as participants explored strategies to reduce stigma and provide support for their peers.
The training spanned 72 hours and incorporated design thinking methodologies to help participants understand and address these issues. Participants received toolkits to conduct root cause analysis and stakeholder mapping, as well as guidance on power dynamics and resource identification. The program was supported by mentors, facilitators, and experts who helped participants develop their ideas into practical solutions.
The training doesn’t end after the three days. A four-month mentorship phase will follow, where participants will receive continuous guidance in implementing their projects within the Ibadan community.
Teams have already started working on projects aimed at creating real-world impact in different parts of Ibadan. For example, the climate health team is focusing on the Bodija area, while the gender-based violence team is working in local secondary schools to raise awareness and foster a safer environment for young girls.
One participant, Master Rest Essence, a student of European University Georgia, and a mental health advocate, shared his team's focus on reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. “We found out that many students at the University of Ibadan don’t talk about mental health issues due to the stigma,” he explained. The team’s solution includes raising awareness on stress management and encouraging students to seek help when necessary, rather than resorting to drastic measures like suicide.
Tijani Ruth, a 200-level Computer Science student at the University of Ibadan, is part of the sexual reproductive health team. Her team is leveraging social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram to educate students about contraceptives and debunk myths surrounding sexual health. "We are using everyday stories to educate students on how to avoid falling victim to misinformation," Ruth said.
The Innovate 4 Impact Designathon is only the beginning of what Dr. AbdulHammed Babatunde and the TIDA team hope will be a sustained movement to empower Nigerian youths to take charge of their health challenges. With plans to expand to other cities in Nigeria, the program aims to foster a generation of problem-solvers who actively contribute to their communities.
Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, a psychiatric consultant and senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan, praised the initiative for its focus on mental health, noting that the University has established a student mental health committee to support students facing mental health challenges. “Many mental health issues start at a young age, and we want to ensure that students get the necessary support and care,” Dr. Jibril said.
By investing in the youth and providing them with the tools to address societal challenges, TIDA and OVAL are paving the way for a healthier and more resilient Nigeria, one community at a time.