LAGOS/Nigeria: Dayo Alade Daniel has emerged winner of the 2025 WeNaija Health Advocacy Campaign, earning a prize of ₦1 million and a laptop at the WeNaija Youth Impact event organised by the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) in Lagos.
Anita Nwokoji clinched second place, receiving ₦500,000 and a laptop, while Efaemiode Ikoi Iran won third place with ₦400,000 and a laptop. Other top performers include Esther Okwumo, who placed fourth and received ₦300,000 and a laptop, and Emmanuel Shalom, who finished fifth with a ₦200,000 prize and a laptop.
The 2025 edition of the WeNaija Campaign attracted more than 400 entries, all centred on the theme “Own Your Choice: The Dangers of Incomplete Sexual and Reproductive Health.”
Managing Director of NSSF, Dr. Feijiro Chinye-Nwoko, said the theme was chosen in response to concerns raised by young people who identified Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) as one of the most urgent yet least addressed health challenges facing them. She noted that SRH misinformation has become a silent crisis, contributing to maternal mortality, mental health issues and preventable deaths. According to her, the WeNaija platform is focused on equipping young Nigerians with factual knowledge and training them to become advocates within their communities.
A member of the judging panel, Mr. Ojehonmon Okugbe, explained that creativity, clarity and relatability were key factors in selecting the winners. He said storytelling played a crucial role as young audiences respond better to well-packaged messages. Some entries, he noted, stood out through rap, spoken word and acting, showing genuine passion and understanding of the subject.
Consultant clinical psychologist, Dr. Busola Olamuyiwa, warned that millions of young Nigerians remain at risk due to inadequate SRH education. She noted that children as young as nine are now sexually active, yet lack access to accurate information. She called for proper sex education in schools, led by trained professionals, and urged parents, churches and community leaders to embrace open, fact-based conversations to counter harmful misinformation.
Dr. Chinye-Nwoko added that more than two million youths have been reached by WeNaija programmes in the last five years through advocacy cohorts and impact awards. She said the organisation hopes to reach between 10 and 15 million young Nigerians, giving them access to relevant data, stakeholders and opportunities to create meaningful change at the community level.
The 2025 campaign highlighted both the creativity of Nigerian youths and the urgent need for stronger sexual and reproductive health awareness nationwide.
