Our Leadership Mission
We desire to build a new generation of credible, accountable and ethical leaders who will propel the continent towards effective and sustainable economic and human development as well as peace and security for strong institutions. Our interventions focus on developing the leadership skills of individuals, particularly youth in governance, economic development, organizational and professional development.
Our Impact
Grantee Spotlight: ENACTUS Nigeria
Driving Leadership and Innovation Through Education
Focus: STEM center, makerspace and business incubator
Target: Building capacity and providing training, mentoring and equipment for young people in Northern Nigeria
The Challenge
Young Nigerians lack adequate opportunities to develop essential leadership skills. The ACT Foundation recognizes the challenges of these community services by providing funding to student-led organizations like ENACTUS Nigeria. Many students graduate without the practical leadership and collaborative problem-solving abilities needed to address complex community challenges, creating a gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
The Leadership Challenge Solution
ENACTUS provides a platform where youth can translate ideas into action through entrepreneurship:
- Students identify community problems and implement sustainable solutions.
- Teams develop leadership skills through collaborative project management.
- Participants gain experience in resource allocation and stakeholder management.
- Regular competitions foster innovation as teams present work to business leaders.
Program Structure
- ACT Foundation has funded five cycles of community leadership programmes, establishing over 30 teams (30-120 students each) across 25 Nigerian states.
- Teams identify community problems and develop innovative solutions, with ACT Foundation funding 10 teams annually (three outstanding initiatives receive additional expansion funding).
- Over 2000 students participate nationwide, gaining practical experience in project design, implementation, and community engagementEach cycle culminates in competitions where teams present their solutions to business executives and community stakeholders.
Sucess Stories
Traditional Birth Attendant Training (Kano State)
In Kano State, a shortage of skilled healthcare workers meant expecting mothers were delivered by unskilled traditional birth attendants (TBAs) using improper tools and unhygienic practices. The ENACTUS team created a program to train these trusted TBAs and facilitate
linkages with primary healthcare centers for handling delivery complications.
HyHeals COVID-19 Response (Kaduna State)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 students and 3 teachers in Kaduna developed "HyHeals" - producing safe, affordable hand sanitization products from biodegradable bamboo.
These products benefited communities in Kaduna, Kano, Abuja, and Jos, addressing critical hygiene needs during the crisis.
Sanitary Pad Project (Ogun State)
The ENACTUS program worked with secondary school girls in Ogun state, teaching them to make reusable sanitary pads. This initiative empowered students
with practical skills while addressing an important community need.
RunAm Delivery Platform (Owerri)
ENACTUS students from the Federal University of Technology in Owerri developed an online ordering and delivery management platform called "RunAm."
This technology enabled bicycle riders to earn income by connecting local markets, supermarkets, and restaurants with suppliers and customers.
Through ACT Foundation's seed funding in 2021, they onboarded 11 businesses and facilitated over 2,100 deliveries worth 2.3 million naira.
Nutritional Training (Owerri State)
A Global Healthcare Initiative member created educational platforms teaching nursing mothers to prepare nutritious foods from locally sourced
materials. The project included training on preserving tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables using available technology. They provided
essential training to several women and onboarded four into a sustainable business model.