With Nigeria’s mounting issues, whether in education or health, there is no doubt that the Non-profit as Service (NASS) initiative is a game changer that has given hope to many, particularly young people in the country.
This project, initiated by Servelead Humanitarian Initiative (SHI), strives to go beyond discussions and dive into action, thereby promoting social impact by supporting several persons in realising their ambitions. It accomplishes this by bringing together leaders from various sectors who have been doing outstanding work to address these problems.
In accordance with the scheme’s objectives, the non-profit organisation dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through empowerment initiatives and community development projects held the third NASS Social Impact Roundtable in Abuja on Friday, April 25, 2025, with a focus on how to use cutting-edge technologies as solutions to some of the issues that many Nigerians face.
Several activities were held throughout the programme, such as the investiture of three new Global NASS Ambassadors, including Dr. Linus Okorie, Chief Executive Officer of GOTNI Leadership Centre.
Princess Alugwe, the organisation’s Director of Operations, told EnviroNews on the sidelines of the event that one of the driving forces behind each roundtable is the creation of a policy and position paper that informs relevant stakeholders about the best way forward.
Challenges and solutions
Given the massive obstructions that plague the nation’s social space, Alugwe believes that what her organisation is doing through the NASS initiative is an excellent response to the current crisis.
Numerous Nigerians have brilliant ideas that could improve societal effect, but they are constrained by a lack of resources and the high operating costs. Because SHI is well aware of this issue, it established NASS as a platform to assist individuals, non-profit groups, and the government in bridging that gap.
The theme of the 3.0 edition of the social impact roundtable, “Innovating for Impact: Sustainable Solutions for a Better Future”, was actually influenced by the knowledge of these deficiencies and the necessity to look for solutions to reduce them. The goal is to call attention to low-tech innovation, such as developing educational tips and material utilising USSD and other apps that can be implemented in different communities to ensure that persons living there have access, learn more, and gain a better awareness of the world.
“What NAAS does is help reduce that operational cost, connecting you with various other organisations and strategic partners across the globe and raising funds for a better impact,” the SHI director of operations explained.
The Minister of Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, said it is critical to be open and honest about the problems facing humanity, claiming that young people in Nigeria and a large portion of the continent deal with declining opportunities, increasing unemployment, and restricted access to high-quality education.
For him, the NASS project and the 3.0 social impact roundtable are something more than just a celebration of progress; they are a reaffirmation of stakeholders’ shared commitment to driving meaningful change across numerous communities in Nigeria and beyond.
“They are at a pivotal crossroads, and the choices we make today will shape their futures,” he said.
But within every challenge lies opportunity. The minister, who was represented at the occasion by Obinna Nwaka, the Director General, Committee on Youth Mobilisation and Sensitisation, elaborated that the rise of technology offers a powerful tool for transformation.
Initiatives like those led by Servelead, Engr. Olawande added, particularly in digital literacy and access to clean water, are already laying the foundation for a better tomorrow.
“It is up to us to build on that foundation and scale our efforts so that no one is left behind,” he urged.
He said today’s roundtable is a chance to move beyond conversation into collaboration and urged everyone to speak openly, share boldly, and think innovatively.
According to him, his vision for the youth is bold yet simple: a future where they are not just recipients of support but active architects of change. So, there is a need to build an ecosystem that gives them access to quality education, mentorship, digital tools, and resources that ignite their potential and fuel their aspirations.
The minister ended his remarks by assuring that the renewed hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Youth Development are committed to ensuring Nigerian youth are self-reliant and given a sense of belonging through various programmes and activities of the ministry.
Way forward
Some of the social gaps that are impeding the nation’s social progress are brought on by the widespread presumption that one knows the concerns that vulnerable communities confront without reaching out to them directly to find out what their actual problems are. In order to determine the actual requirements and areas in which these communities require assistance, a needs assessment must be conducted.
Additionally, boosting the hearts. Many people in Nigeria are going through a lot. Aside from simply providing solutions, it is critical to maintain a personal touch when dealing with various communities and groups.
“I think that is what I will do differently, because personally, as Princess, I don’t really see many solutions that are being provided,” Alugwe stated.
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja