Azeezat Yishawu is a medical doctor and and the first female speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament. She has worked with NGOs such as Involve Africa and Constitution Lab to advance democracy and human rights. Her current project is the PVC4HER campaign in Lagos, designed to empower young women to effectively participate in elections. She is an alumna of Carrington Youth, the US International Visitor Leadership Program and the Young Women Political Leadership School. Azeezat is also a former member of the Lagos State Youth Parliament and a former speaker for the Lasumsa Senate. She is an advocate for good governance and expert in resources galvanization for quality political leadership. She mentors young people as she believes that their energy and potential, if properly harnessed, can serve as catalysts for exponential sustainable development. Azeezat is the founder of the Ethics and Political Leadership Foundation, an NGO committed to driving effective democracy and good governance in Nigeria. She is also the co-founder of ConstitutionLab, a youth-led organization committed to providing Nigerians with working knowledge of the Nigerian Constitution. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Inclusive Election Drive

This project targeted Nigerians living with disabilities who have been disenfranchised from participating in elections. Forty young people living with disabilities who are community leaders served as project ambassadors and assisted with voter registration for some 800 young people living with challenges. Participants were trained on the intricacies of running for election in Nigeria and on voting and elections. Communications materials were provided to guide and enlighten participants on their electoral rights, possibilities and responsibilities. At the end of this project, participants who are community leaders were equipped to engage community members, to provide support for aspiring members and to independently assist their community members on voter registration.

 

"It is my fervent hope that we all take advantage of this, to strengthen our resolve to be active participants in the political and electoral processes of our country and empower our strive a more inclusive society." - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience

Azeezat participated in the IVLP Project Youth and Civic Engagement I, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership Gulf Coast Diplomacy, Global Ties Alabama, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, WorldBoston and Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy.

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Birmingham, AL; Washington, DC; Pensacola, FL; Louisville, KY; Boston, MA; Salt Lake City. UT

Country: Nigeria 

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