As part of its expanding commitment to youth development and sustainable innovation, the Young and Gifted Youths Development Initiative (YAGYDI) has announced a new partnership with Affinity Innovative Hub in Ilorin. The collaboration aims to achieve SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reflecting YAGYDI’s belief that transformation starts when local organizations work together to create opportunities.
For YAGYDI, this partnership is more than just a formal agreement; it’s an opportunity to connect education with employability and technology with purpose. The initiative will offer young people access to mentorship, digital literacy programs, and entrepreneurship training—practical tools to help them navigate a rapidly changing world.
Talking about the collaboration, Kamal Alao Ashimiyu, founder of YAGYDI, called the partnership one of the organization’s most strategic alliances to date.
“Our partnership with Affinity Innovative Hub in Ilorin is one of our most practical collaborations,” Ashimiyu said. “Affinity serves as both a development partner and a technical hub for YAGYDI. They provide us with space, tools, and expertise to run our programs more effectively, especially those focused on education, innovation, and digital empowerment.”
Under this partnership, Affinity Innovative Hub will assist YAGYDI in organizing mentorship sessions, workshops, and personal development programs that help young people develop employable skills and start innovative ventures.
“For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Affinity supports our efforts to prepare youth for employment and entrepreneurship. Through training, networking, and incubation programs, we help participants turn their ideas into sustainable businesses or find meaningful careers,” he explained.
YAGYDI’s partnership model is based on the belief that collaboration amplifies impact. By working with organizations like Affinity, YAGYDI demonstrates that sustainable growth depends not only on resources but also on relationships and the right partnerships that connect vision with action execution.
“This collaboration embodies what YAGYDI stands for: connecting people, organizations, and opportunities,” Ashimiyu said. “Together, we’re showing that when local organizations cooperate, we can create stronger systems that genuinely empower young people and build stronger communities.”
Through this alliance, YAGYDI hopes to make Ilorin a centre of youth-led innovation, where creativity, education, and entrepreneurship converge. As the partnership unfolds, the organization remains focused on its broader mission, turning the potential of young Africans into tangible progress through education, leadership, and collaboration.