About LEADS Foundation
Touching Lives, Transforming Communities.
Lighthouse for Empowerment, Advancement, and Development of Skills — officially registered to implement Community-Driven Development (CDD) across Nigeria.
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”
— Flora Edwards, Founding Philosophy
Our Background
Responding to critical development challenges.
Nigeria's development landscape has been strained by global economic shifts, reduced Official Development Assistance (ODA), and pressing economic hardship. In southeastern Nigeria, youth unemployment and underemployment stand at significant levels, calling for intentional, collaborative action.
LEADS Foundation was registered as a non-governmental, non-religious, not-for-profit, and non-political organisation committed to empowering youth, women, and vulnerable populations through evidence-based research, comprehensive vocational skills training, Active Labour Market Measures (ALMM), and advocacy for social justice and gender equality.
Our Vision
Thriving in a Future of Possibilities
To shape a world where everyone thrives in a future filled with possibilities.
Our Mission
Empowering People & Communities
To empower individuals, and communities through education, advocacy and innovation, promoting equity, and creating opportunities for a sustainable future.
Our Goal
Driving Measurable Impact
To drive impact by improving livelihood opportunities, building resilient human capital, and reducing systemic inequality.
Our Culture
Core Values: EPIC
Our culture runs through everything we do. Our core values combine with adaptability to define our team as EPIC, anchored by the foundational principle that People and communities are at the heart of our objective.
Excellence
We continually extend the boundaries of our shared knowledge through continuous learning and exceptional delivery of innovative, demand-driven interventions.
Professionalism
Our experienced and skillful team holds high moral standards and is accountable for the quality of our service and our overarching mission.
Integrity
We uphold ethical standards of honesty, transparency, and accountability in all engagements with partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders.
Collaboration
We are passionate about co-creating value in partnership with relevant stakeholders for sustainable, positive community impact.
People at the Heart: People and communities are at the centre of our mission. We work to achieve positive economic and behavioural transformation that inspires young people to flourish and realise their full potential.
Programme Framework
Positive Youth Development (PYD) Model
A comprehensive, evidence-based approach to contributing to the development of healthy, productive, and engaged youth and women.
Agency (Youth Engagement)
- ✦ Positive self-identity & self-esteem
- ✦ Positive belief about the future
- ✦ Planning capacity and consistency
Assets
- ✦ Training & capacity development; scholarships
- ✦ Life and interpersonal skills
- ✦ Employability skills & higher-order thinking
Enabling Environment
- ✦ Opportunities for pro-social involvement
- ✦ Youth-, gender- & disability-responsive services
- ✦ Physical & psychological safety, policy advocacy
How We Work
The 5Js of Collaboration
We select the most appropriate project-management methodology for each intervention, applying our experience and competencies to deliver verifiable results alongside partners.
Joint Research
Interventions are shaped by needs analysis conducted with partners and target groups through joint thinking.
Joint Design
We jointly design projects to meet the needs of target groups using a sustainable approach suitable to the community.
Joint Implementation
Responsibilities are clearly defined and projects are jointly executed to build local ownership and sustainability.
Joint Monitoring
Monitoring starts at the design stage setting lead times, tracking progress, controlling budget, and managing risk.
Joint Reporting
Progress, impact, and success stories are jointly reported by beneficiaries, partners, and the project team.
Our People
Professional Management Team
Our dedicated team of experienced professionals and passionate individuals is committed to empowering communities and driving sustainable change across Nigeria.
Gift Uselu
Programme Coordinator
Isaac Ijeoma Chelsea
Grant & Partnership Manager
Chidimma Udoye
Head of Account & Finance
Ifeyinwa A. Enworom
Head, Shared Services
Kingson C. Igboka
Junior Programme Advisor
Ositadimma Njoku
Junior Advisor Diversity & Inclusion
Charity Mary Ilechukwu
M&E and Communications Officer
Governance & Oversight
Board of Trustees
LEADS Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, providing strategic oversight, statutory compliance, and technical guidance through its membership structure.
Dr. Happiness O. Obi-Anike
Chairman
Pricilla C. Anaemena
Secretary
Eng. Edmond N. Tulba
Treasurer
Eng. Rebecca Odion
Executive Member
Joseph I. Nwankwo
Executive Member
Eng. Tunde Adeyi
Member
Victor C. Uche
Member
Advisory Council
Strategic and Technical Advisory Council (STAC)
A multidisciplinary, non-governing advisory body of distinguished experts providing independent strategic, technical, and thought-leading guidance to strengthen our mission, programmes, and impact.
Violet Obiokoro
Strategic / Organisational Development Expert
Helen Igboka
Technical / Programme Sector Expert
Kosisochukwu Ekenta
Research, Evidence & Knowledge Expert
Friday Agbo
Private Sector / Industry Representative
Dr. Emmanuel Agbeze
Government & Policy Expert
Uchechukwu Ekweremadu
Finance, Sustainability & Resource Mobilisation
Fuchi Nwaturuocha
Innovation, Digital & Futures Thinking Expert
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