Gift Johnbull: Championing South-South engagement in President Tinubu’s administration

In the dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics and governance, few individuals embody the spirit of grassroots mobilization, strategic influence, and civic responsibility as profoundly as Gift Johnbull.

Currently serving as the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Community Engagement (South-South), Johnbull has carved a niche for herself as a political strategist, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and advocate for inclusive governance. Her journey has been defined by an unwavering commitment to nation-building, youth empowerment, and political participation, making her one of the most influen5al figures in Nigeria’s civic and political
space and a major campaigner for the President in the South-South region.

From an early stage in her career, Johnbull demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with people and drive political engagement. As the national Coordinator of Progressive Nigerian Women and Youth, she played a pivotal role in advancing the ideologies of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and ensuring increased civic participation. Under her leadership, the movement launched numerous ini5a5ves aimed at fostering political awareness and deepening democratic engagement. One of the most significant among these was the “Get Your PVC” campaign, which encouraged and facilitated youth participation in elections. Recognizing the importance of education in shaping informed citizens, she also spearheaded community outreach programs, including the distribution of educational materials to schoolchildren in Ogoja/Yala, Cross River State.

Her deep understanding of political strategy and community mobilization saw her become an integral part of the APC Registration and Revalidation Exercise in Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory. Working under the leadership of Salma Musa of the Tinubu Support Group, Johnbull provided logistical and technical support that resulted in the registration of over 11,000 new party members across ten wards. Her expertise in electoral processes earned her a place on several high-stakes committees, including the Ebonyi State APC Congress in 2021, where she played a critical role in conducting a free and fair elec5on that produced the state’s APC executive body, with the backing of Governor Dave Umahi.

Johnbull’s contributions to the APC extended to the na5onal stage, where she was a key member of the protocol committee responsible for organizing the 2022 APC Presidential Primaries. Her meticulous planning and execu5on ensured a smooth electoral process, culmina5ng in the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate. Her involvement in shaping the party’s electoral strategy continued as she served as Secretary of the Senate Appeal Panel Committee, where she oversaw the successful re-run election of Professor Ben Ayade, the former Governor of Cross River State. Additionally, she played an active role in the national Delegate Congress, helping to elect the delegates who would go on to determine the party’s presiden5al candidate.

Beyond electioneering, Johnbull has remained a driving force in youth empowerment and political advocacy. Her role in the Progressive Youth Conference (PYC) in 2021 was instrumental in bringing together over 3,000 young Nigerians, providing them with the inspiration and motivation needed to actively engage in governance and leadership. Her commitment to women’s empowerment is equally noteworthy. As national Coordinator for Aspire Young Women Forum (AYWF), a subset of Aspire Women Forum (AWF), she led numerous initiatives advocating for women’s inclusion in politics, financial literacy, mentorship, and behavioral coaching for young girls. Under her leadership, the AYWF organized the Happy Conference, an intergenerational event that brought together accomplished women from various industries to mentor and inspire the next generation of female leaders.

Johnbull’s influence in the 2023 presidential elections further cemented her reputa5on as a political mobilizer of exceptional skill. She was deeply involved in the Renewed Hope Concert, an event that brought together over 7,000 youths to galvanize support for the Tinubu presidency. She also spearheaded the #EatWithTinubuShefma Project, a unique initiative aimed at fostering direct engagement between the APC presidential candidates and the Nigerian electorate. Within the APC’s internal structure, she played a crucial role as a committee member for the Cross River Gubernatorial Primaries in 2022, and the National Assembly Screening Committee, further solidifying her
position as a trusted strategist and mobilizer.

As she steps into 2025, Johnbull is taking her passion for community engagement and development to new heights with the launch of two landmark initiatives aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The first, Community Voices, is an ambi5ous program designed to amplify grassroots concerns and ensure direct communica5on between local governments and the presidency. Under this initiative, Johnbull is facilitating monthly deliberative meetings across the 123 local governments in the South-South, further bridging the gaps between youth and women in the region and the Presidency. By providing communities with an organized platform to discuss pressing issues and formulate resolutions, she is ensuring their concerns are formally presented to the president, advocating for executive action. By creating a structured dialogue between the government and its people, Community Voices is set to revolutionize civic engagement in Nigeria.

Her second major initiative for 2025, Project Earn From The Soil, is an ambi5ous ₦10 billion fundraising drive aimed at tackling rural poverty and enhancing agricultural productivity in the South-South. Recognizing the crucial role of smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s food security and economic development, Johnbull is working to mobilize resources to fund rural farmers through cooperative societies. This initiative seeks to provide financial support, training, and market access to farmers, ensuring that agriculture remains a viable and profitable sector for local communities. By empowering farmers with the resources, they need to succeed, Project Earn From The Soil will contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in rural areas.

Gift Johnbull’s relentless drive, strategic acumen, and deep commitment to community-driven governance have positioned her as a formidable force in Nigeria’s poli5cal and social landscape. With her bold new initiatives for 2025, she continues to champion the voices of the South-South people, strengthen grassroots participation, and drive economic empowerment in alignment with the Renewed Hope vision for a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.

Godsknow Pereye, Youth Advocate and Co-convener of the South-South Youth Progressive Network, writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa.