The Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) is a dynamic youth-based initiative launched in 2011 by the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Nigeria. Through the CYFI, young people in Nigeria with extraordinary vision, aptitude, and experience come together to plan and implement initiatives that improve Nigerian society. CYFI inspired Walter Carrington, a former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and supporter of democracy, civil freedoms, and deeper links between the United States and Nigeria.
On the 16th of August, 2024, the U.S. Consulate celebrates 2023/2024 graduates. Among the graduates were 5 Ekiti youths who implemented the DigiGirls project at Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti. The project trained 31 girls on the use of 21st-century technology as a tool to empower them economically. Participants were drawn from three schools: Corpus Christi College, United High School, and Oniwe Comprehensive High School, Ekiti South West LGA, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
During the graduation ceremony, certificates were presented by Will Stevens, the Consul General, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Nigeria.

Short profile of the Ekiti youths celebrated by the U.S. Consulate for their impacts in Ekiti State is below:
1: Oluwatoyosi Tanimowo is a passionate and dedicated public health advocate committed to making a lasting impact in her community. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan.
She has been actively involved in several public health intervention projects throughout Ekiti State and Nigeria. She’s committed to courses that would better the lives of the underserved in her community, especially women and children.

2: Tunji Quddus Abdulfatai is an assurance service professional; he’s also the CEO of Bolak Agro, an agricultural food processing company. With a deep commitment to self-development, he continuously hones his skills to ensure quality and compliance. Passionate about helping others, he leverages his expertise to support his team and clients, driving excellence in the industry.

3: Blessing Tunde Dada is an experienced international educational development practitioner and technopreneur strongly committed to empowering marginalised communities through innovative technology and development initiatives. I am pursuing an MA in International Education and Development at the University of Sussex through a prestigious Chevening Scholarship.

4: Temitayo Elijah Balogun is a lecturer and machine learning expert with web development experience. He has mentored over 100 students and is passionate about community impact, volunteering for CYFI, DaVoicce, Sandalili, and organising Owajoba writes. Through the Data Science Network, he helps Nigerians grasp basic machine learning concepts.

5: Kayode Teslim Owoso is a social development worker and a consultant at the Foundation for Sustainable Health Promotion and Development (FOSHPAD). He’s a Social Media Advocate for UNFPA Nigeria, UNICEF Nigeria, and UNICEF Global. He has designed Social Media Toolkits for UNICEF Global to implement a Global Alliance and Breakthrough Partnership in 12 African countries towards the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The young people appreciate the Ekiti State Government for supporting the DigiGirls project, the U.S. Consulate for the initiative, American Spaces, the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, Leap Africa, Access Bank, the Kensington Adebukola Adebutu Foundation, and others.

More information: US. Consulate General graduates 80 Nigerians from Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative in 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_fbatoonYk