In a country like Nigeria, consumer rights and education are somewhat limited, especially in the business and technology sectors.
This not only affects the present but casts a shadow on the future of the young minds, discouraging their zeal to thrive in their homeland.
The growing sense of limitation often pushes them towards the idea of leaving, a phenomenon termed ‘Japa’ in Nigeria. However, amidst these challenges, individuals are rising to challenge the status quo, pushing forward the understanding that one can succeed wherever he or she finds themselves and clearing a brighter path for the youth of Nigeria.
At the forefront of this is Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, the Executive Director of Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF). With unyielding determination and a passion for empowering young minds, Prof. is reshaping the landscape of consumer rights advocacy and education in Nigeria.
“Our pursuit is to increase awareness and defend consumer rights, through rigorous research and policy analysis on key consumer issues, across different sectors, advocacy, education, and legal representation, while running three other companies, Anyworkman Services- a tech-enabled artisan management company, Sources Resources Logistics and Consulting company and 12Wells Hub,” she explained.
With an apt understanding of the limitations faced by the youth, Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s work at CADEF addresses the gaps in the sector, providing the youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex world of business and technology. Her initiatives impart essential skills and also instill a sense of confidence, inspiring young individuals to believe in their potential despite the challenges they face.
This is evident in the influential work that shines through the FinGreen project. This initiative focused on recruiting, assessing, and tracking participants’ performance to monitor their learning outcomes. Through interactive workshops and a train-the-trainer approach, 25 FinGreen ambassadors were empowered, who then trained over 750 youths in crucial financial principles.
The peer-to-peer module not only imparted practical insights into budgeting, savings, credit, investment, fraud awareness, and entrepreneurship but also cultivated informed decision-making and mindset adjustments.
Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s journey in education and advocacy spans over three decades, where her expertise as an educator, information technology expert, serial entrepreneur, software developer, motivational speaker, and author has made a significant impact.
She has a strong background, holding an MBA, MPA, and Ed. D, a professor in Business and Information Technology, a Dean, Department Chair, curriculum designer, author, speaker, and even a Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation grant.
Under her guidance, CADEF has emerged as a force to reckon with, tirelessly working to empower individuals and groups, fostering autonomy and self-determination economically and socially. Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor’s expertise extends globally, having worked with organizations in the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, enhancing their capacity through strategic design and training.
One of her significant achievements includes being the Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation grant aimed at developing a coordinated regional IT education and workforce development system in Boston, MA. This project focused on attracting talented students to IT careers, promoting lifelong learning of IT skills, and supporting the workforce needs of the region’s IT companies.
Challenges
As a youth empowerment and SME strategist, Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor has faced challenges head-on. She navigates through ineffective systems and bureaucracy with patience and education, utilizing technology as a solution. Her advice for aspiring professionals: “Never stop learning, read something every day, and never believe the word can’t. Remember that amidst chaos lies a solution waiting to be identified and developed.”
Through her tireless effort, dedication, expertise, and passion, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor is transforming lives and continues to inspire and uplift, reshaping the narrative for the youth of Nigeria. Her work at CADEF is laying a path filled with confidence, knowledge, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
As the Executive Director of CADEF, Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor continues to inspire young minds, instilling in them the belief that they can thrive and succeed wherever they find themselves, fostering a generation of empowered individuals ready to face the future with strong confidence.
