Fareedah Oyolola and Ifeoluwa Onafowokan, both teenagers, are demonstrating that leadership is not tied to age or wealth but to the willingness to identify problems and respond practically. Through their initiative EduSpark by Tomorrow's People, they are championing educational support for vulnerable children in Nigeria.
In Lagos, a group of secondary school students recently conducted an educational outreach programme for hundreds of pupils at a public primary school. The initiative, organized under EduSpark by Tomorrow's People, is jointly led by Fareedah Oyolola and Ifeoluwa Onafowokan, both students of Greensprings Secondary School, Lagos, and both under 17 years old.
Together with over 30 volunteers, they donated books, writing materials, and other educational supplies to pupils at Expressway Nursery and Primary School I, Ikosi Road, Ketu, in Kosofe Local Council of Lagos State. Despite heavy rainfall, the students continued the programme, accompanied by security personnel, and distributed materials to over 400 pupils.
Inspiration Behind the Outreach
Fareedah explained that the initiative stemmed from a foundation she started in 2023 called Tomorrow's People. Over time, it became a collaborative project with Ifeoluwa. “Tomorrow's People started as my foundation in 2023, but EduSpark has now become a shared vision between Ifeoluwa and me. We both realized that we came from privileged homes and had access to educational resources that many children do not have,” she said.
The outreach highlighted the inequality in access to education across Nigeria, where many public schools face shortages of books and learning resources. For children from low-income families, basic materials like exercise books and school bags can be financial burdens.
Previous Interventions and Collaboration
Before the Ketu outreach, the duo had carried out a similar intervention in Okobaba community, benefiting over 300 children. Ifeoluwa noted that their partnership began during a Creative Activities and Services (CAS) class project at school. “One thing we want people to understand is that we achieve more when we work together. Partnership allows people to pool resources, ideas, and energy to create greater impact,” she said.
Volunteers included Sharon Ayodeji-Ojo (Financial Team Lead), Lynette Hunponu-Wusu (Event Lead), Anita Ogba and Ademinitioluwa Ogunwuyi (Logistics), and Leyla Olarenwaju alongside Maimunah Salako (Advertisement and Engagement). Other volunteers were Aisha Odukoya, Belema Oruene, Michelle Onwubuya, Oluwapamilerinayo Osho, Tiaraoluwa Olusola-Sanni, Oluwafifehanmi Omolayole, Kosisochukwu Ugboh, Oluwatobi Bajomo, David Amaefule, Raluolisa Chidi-Abali, Oluwabukunmi Willoughby, Ololade Agbaoye, Riritarioluwa Doherty, Oluwadabira Adedoyin, Happiness Egede, Alvin Gbeja, Precious Sodolamu, Aderinsola Adebajo, Olivia Nurudeen, Kobi Okaro, Daniella Ozoemena, Oluwatoniloba Adeagbo, Idara Attah, and Mofehintoluwa Falola.
School Authorities Praise Initiative
School Manager Mr. Olurantimi Henry Ajibulu described the initiative as impressive and emotionally touching. “For teenagers to identify less privileged children and decide to support them voluntarily is beyond imagination. Choosing our school for this outreach is something we deeply appreciate,” he said. Assistant School Manager Mrs. Foluke Akinduro commended the students and their parents for encouraging compassion and responsibility.
One beneficiary, John Destiny, a Primary Four pupil, expressed appreciation: “I am so excited about what they have done. May God bless them and continue to help them.”
Parental Support and Broader Impact
Fareedah's mother, Mrs. Rasheedah Oyolola, thanked her husband Mr. Yusuf Oyolola for supporting their daughter's development. The EduSpark project reflects a growing interest among young Nigerians in community development and volunteerism. Fareedah, who became an international scholar at age 13, continues to build EduSpark as a platform focused on educational support for vulnerable children, emphasizing privilege and responsibility.
