An advocate for inclusion and wellness, Victoria Chidinma Nwanne, has launched the Stutter Awareness Foundation (SAF)—a nonprofit organization focused on creating awareness, breaking stigma, and empowering people who stutter across Nigeria and beyond.

The launch of the Foundation, which took place on April 23, 2025, marks a turning point in how stuttering is perceived in communities that often dismiss or marginalize those who struggle with speech disfluency.

For Victoria, this is more than just an advocacy initiative—it is a personal mission rooted in lived experience. While she does not stutter herself, she grew up closely with someone who did, and that experience deeply shaped her understanding of the psychological, educational, and social challenges people who stutter face daily.

“I saw firsthand how intelligent voices were silenced—not by their inability to speak, but by society’s unwillingness to listen,” Victoria shared. “This Foundation is my commitment to making sure those voices are not only heard but celebrated.”

Victoria’s journey to becoming a change-maker has been paved with notable leadership milestones. From her trailblazing role as the first female Senate Clerk of the University of Benin to her service as Administrator of the Stand Up, Speak Out (SUSO) Initiative, she has consistently championed causes around education, gender equity, and youth empowerment.

The Stutter Awareness Foundation will operate through advocacy campaigns, school outreach programs, support groups, and research initiatives. A key feature is its commitment to promoting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by advocating for more inclusive speech therapy access in schools and policies that protect the rights of people who stutter.

Victoria believes that lasting change begins with conversation. Through media campaigns, public speaking, and grassroots outreach, the Foundation is already drawing attention to the need for compassionate listening and societal reform.

“My message is clear: stuttering is not a weakness—it is a different way of speaking, not a lesser way of being. To learn more about the Stutter Awareness Foundation or to join the movement, follow @stutterawarenessfoundation on Instagram or contact [email protected],” she said.