Transforming Minds and Unlocking Potential

With an estimated population of over 217 million people, Nigeria is the 6th most populous country in the world and the most populous black nation on earth. Over the years, gradual budget cuts of government programs have further worsened the country's long list of problems nationwide. These problems are palpable on the academic front with continuous teacher strikes and university demonstrations. Unfortunately, the strikes and demonstrations are tokens of a broken education system that continues to limit hardworking and talented students ready to unleash their potential.

Akin Akinboro and Mobolaji Sokunbi (R to L) are the Co-Founders of The 234 Project. The Co-Founders first met in college when they were both involved in the African Students Association (ASA) at their respective universities. In 2015, they launched The 234 Project as a foundation committed to empowering young Nigerians to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.

Since our launch, we have awarded over N4.2 million in scholarships, produced over 60 short cultural videos, a short movie, provided over 3,000+ gigs of data to university students, supported transactions that fueled over N10 million in revenue, partnered with at least 15 academic institutions in Nigeria and our programs have impacted at least 25K students just to mention a few.

In 2023, we will once again engage and collaborate with Nigerian youths via the following program pillars:

IDEATION: We will continue our highly successful Community Impact Challenge (CIC) and focus on two key aspects: Agriculture and Green initiative challenges. Students have an opportunity to identify specific problems or hardships in their community and share how they have tackled the issue or propose a thoughtful solution and implementation plan on how the issue can be resolved.

EMPOWERMENT: Our goal here is to double our efforts by enrolling more potential/ new graduates into our Employability Incubator Program (EIP) and extending that enrollment to Southern Nigeria. Current data estimates there are 25 million unemployed graduates in Nigeria, and our goal is to help in closing that gap by exposing and teaching students the necessary skills needed to secure and keep the right job in a highly competitive and opportunities-starved job market. Most Nigerian graduates lack employability skills, have not been exposed to the tenets of entrepreneurship and have no clear plans for what will happen once they graduate. The EIP program has focused on tackling these areas and a few more gaps to make sure that students are prepped to secure a fitting job and more importantly that they are thinking ahead of what they want to achieve career-wise.

STEWARDSHIP: One of the key establishments we support is the Divine Wisdom Missionary School in Jeida, Kuje, Abuja. Rev. Ijeoma Joy Okoronkwo has relied on her personal funds and donors to run a center that includes a school, clinic, playground, church and orphanage for the underserved families on the outskirts of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. She has done so much with limited funds, and we are excited about the great exposure key resources that her establishment will continue to provide. In addition, we will provide bags and reusable sanitary pads across secondary schools in Oyo State and launch our 1st ever Teacher of the Year Award.

HERITAGE: We will produce a minimum of 4 Life Series Videos in 2023. These videos are short, “day in a life” documentaries of working-class Nigerians and our view captures key aspects of their daily routine that includes aspects of their profession, fashion and lifestyle and their cultural interests just to mention a few. It is an opportunity to share with the world the beauty and richness that this diverse country of over 200 ethnic groups offers and more importantly, to share the subject.

We will share updates throughout the year and will be sure to let you know how your donation is impacting the lives of children and youths in Nigeria.

Thank you so much for giving and please help spread the word!

The 234 Project Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization