When FOCN Mastermind was featured in The Guardian, it was a reminder of why we do what we do: to empower young Africans to lead, innovate, and transform their communities.
At Face of Congeniality Nigeria (FOCN), we launched Mastermind as a strategic program to provide young Africans with the skills, tools, and mindset they need to thrive in the digital economy while becoming leaders who positively impact society.
Here are five proven ways FOCN Mastermind is successfully empowering young Africans, as highlighted in our feature in The Guardian:
- Providing Purposeful Skill Development
We designed the Mastermind program to address the critical need for practical leadership, digital skills, and personal growth training among young Africans. The Guardian feature emphasized how our focused approach gives participants the confidence and tools they need to excel in their careers and community engagements.
Our sessions combine leadership training, entrepreneurship, and self-development, ensuring each participant leaves with actionable knowledge to transform their potential into results.
- Enhancing Digital Access for Continuous Learning
To truly empower young people, access to technology is essential. During our sessions in Opobo and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, we distributed over 70 smartphones to participants to support ongoing learning and digital skill application.
The Guardian captured how this bold move enabled many young people, who previously lacked digital access, to continue their learning journey, explore online opportunities, and utilize technology to expand their entrepreneurial and leadership pursuits.
- Cultivating Young Changemakers in Communities
At the heart of Mastermind is our commitment to raising changemakers who can take what they learn and implement it in their communities. We create an environment that encourages collaboration, mentorship, and collective problem-solving among participants.
As our founder, Obianuju Princess Duru, shared with The Guardian:
“We believe that true empowerment comes from equipping young minds with the right knowledge and tools to excel. The ‘Mastermind’ program is our way of inspiring the next generation of changemakers in Africa.”
This belief drives our work as we prepare young Africans to not only dream of change but to take steps that make a difference.
- Delivering Practical, Hands-On Learning
Mastermind is intentionally structured to ensure that every participant gains skills that can be applied immediately. Sessions on personal growth, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and effective communication give participants a toolkit to start projects, lead initiatives, and grow their personal brands.
We are committed to ensuring that young people move beyond motivation to clear, actionable steps they can implement in their daily lives and community projects.
- Creating Sustainable Community Impact
The Guardian noted that Mastermind’s impact is designed to extend beyond the initial training sessions. We encourage each participant to become a catalyst for change, mentoring others and initiating projects that address the unique needs of their communities.
This ripple effect ensures that every young person empowered through Mastermind becomes a contributor to Africa’s growth story, multiplying opportunities for others along the way.
Why This Matters
The feature in The Guardian reaffirmed that programs like FOCN Mastermind are critical to Africa’s future. By providing practical skills, mentorship, and access to technology, we are equipping young Africans with the tools they need to lead confidently and create positive change in their environments.
At FOCN, we remain committed to expanding Mastermind’s reach, empowering more young people to discover their potential, and building a future where Africa’s youths are at the forefront of innovation, leadership, and sustainable community development.
Read the Full Guardian Feature:
Mastermind: We’re Empowering Youths to Excel, Says Princess Duru
If you are passionate about seeing young Africans rise into positions of leadership and innovation, we invite you to support or partner with us as we continue expanding Mastermind to reach more communities.
Contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can be part of this mission.
Stay Connected with FOCN
Be part of our thriving network of young women leading with confidence and grace.
Join the You Inspire Community Today: WhatsApp
Follow us on:
- Instagram: @focn_leadership_academy
- Facebook: Face Of Congenality Nigeria
- LinkedIn: Face of Congeniality Nigeria
You might also like: 31 Business Ideas You Can Start Right Now
