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Why Nigeria needs more changemakers like Adetoun Onajobi

By Ifeanyi Ibeh

02 April 2025   |   7:53 am

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In every generation, there are a few people who rise above fear, above noise, above comfort and choose to do the hard, necessary work. Adetoun Onajobi is one of those people. Her presence in Nigeria’s humanitarian space is not just refreshing. It’s vital. With over two decades of experience and a PhD in Social Work,…

In every generation, there are a few people who rise above fear, above noise, above comfort and choose to do the hard, necessary work. Adetoun Onajobi is one of those people. Her presence in Nigeria’s humanitarian space is not just refreshing. It’s vital.

With over two decades of experience and a PhD in Social Work, Adetoun Onajobi has committed her life to the people most would rather not see, the poor, the abused, the displaced. Her NGO, Feed a Child Community Initiative, feeds, educates, enlightens, and dignifies those left behind by the system. But it’s not just what she does. It’s how she does it.

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She moves with empathy. She speaks with clarity. She acts with courage.

In early 2025, a story gripped the nation: a woman earning ₦19,500 a month, sweeping the streets of Ikoyi at 5 AM with her young child helping her work. The woman made the daily trip from Iyana Oworo. Her other children stayed home. By law, it was child labour. But in reality, it was a tragic result of hardship, a mother doing all she could to survive in an economy that barely lets people breathe.

Adetoun Onajobi didn’t just share the story. She responded to it with action. She offered support to the woman and used the moment to challenge society’s numbness. “This isn’t a headline,” she said. “This is someone’s life.”

That’s who she is, a woman who refuses to turn away. Her boldness doesn’t come from ego. It comes from conviction. Raised in a Christian home and spiritually mentored by Prophet T.B. Joshua, she believes in showing up when it matters, even when it’s inconvenient.

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She doesn’t only fight through words. She fights through art. Her stage play, African Values, uplifts young girls and teaches them to embrace culture, self-respect, and purpose. Whether on social media, on the ground, or on stage, Adetoun is consistent, real change, not performance.

Her efforts have earned her major recognitions, including the Woman of Distinction Award and Most Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year. But if you ask her, she’ll tell you the real award is seeing someone rebuild their life with dignity.

Why does Nigeria need more women like Adetoun Onajobi? Because she dares to care. Because she’s not afraid to make people uncomfortable if it means waking them up. Because she’s proof that love can be loud, truth can be bold, and service can be revolutionary.

She’s not perfect. She’s not always gentle. But she is deeply necessary.

In a country searching for real leaders, Adetoun Onajobi reminds us that leadership is not about titles, it’s about impact.