Experts

Meet the Experts Facilitating Each Cluster

Meet the incredible minds behind the YouthLab learning experience — a dynamic team of subject-matter experts, educators, and advocates who guide, train, and inspire our fellows throughout their journey.

Each expert brings deep knowledge and lived experience in one of the four core thematic areas:

Sexual Grooming and Cross-Generational Relationships
Child Marriage
Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty
Harmful Traditional Practices (e.g., FGM)

What They Do

Each YouthLab Fellow is placed in one of four key thematic clusters—critical areas where informed advocacy can shift attitudes, change behaviors, and transform communities:

Design and deliver engaging courses hosted on the Outreach Academy

Mentor fellows through weekly live sessions and group interactions

Evaluate proposals and recommend fellows for mini-grants

Support the co-creation of innovative advocacy resources

Explore Our Experts

Sisan Josephine Victor-Woko

Female Genital Mutilation Expert

Sisan Josephine Victor-Woko is a media and communications expert with a strong passion for public health advocacy, particularly in using storytelling and digital media to drive social change. With a first degree in Biochemistry and a Master’s in Media and Communication from Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, she merges scientific insights with creative communication strategies to address pressing societal issues.

Her work focuses on leveraging media tools like radio drama, podcasts, and digital storytelling to advocate for behavioral change in areas such as female genital mutilation (FGM), anti-malaria and sickle cell campaigns, youth empowerment etc. She has written, directed, and produced compelling radio dramas that highlight Nigerian values and raise awareness on critical public health and social justice issues.

Sisan has over five years of experience in broadcasting, content creation, and community engagement, working with NGOs and organizations to promote capacity building and leadership development. She also hosts a podcast on self-leadership and personal transformation, helping young people discover purpose and take meaningful action.

As a Resource and Training Expert for The Outreach Youth and Adolescent Lab, she is dedicated to equipping young leaders with advocacy strategies, media campaign tools, and stakeholder engagement techniques. Her approach emphasizes practical application, co-creation, and collaboration, ensuring that youth-led movements are sustainable and impactful.

Through her work, Sisan continues to use media as a tool for social transformation, bridging the gap between knowledge and action while inspiring young people to become agents of change in their communities.

Otaria Benjamin

Sexual Grooming Expert

Otaria Benjamin is a broadcast journalist, media professional, and advocate who uses storytelling as a catalyst for social transformation. As a journalist, she leverages investigative storytelling to challenge societal norms, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive impactful discussions on pressing issues. Through flagship programmes like Society Watch and Marriage Banter, She has pioneered discussions on gender-based violence, drug abuse, and youth empowerment, fostering awareness and behavioural shifts at the grassroots level.

With a keen ability to design and implement advocacy programs, Otaria has spearheaded community based sensitisation efforts, ensuring young people receive the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions and life choices. She played a significant role in developing the “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life” campaign, a framework based learning initiative designed to educate diverse audiences on the dangers of drug abuse and the power of early prevention. Through interactive sessions, real-life case studies, and expert discussions, she has helped shape youth-led movements focused on sustainable change.

Beyond her media presence, She bridges academia and activism as a PhD fellow in World Literature. Her doctoral research examines how literature interrogates gender biases, patriarchal systems, and social inequities, reinforcing her commitment to reshaping narratives that fuel advocacy and systemic reform. This academic rigour informs her hands-on work as a facilitator, where she leads workshops on topics like sexual grooming, cross-generational relationships, and menstrual health equity. Grounded in interactive learning and real-world scenarios, these sessions empower young people to recognise harmful behaviours, assert boundaries, and reclaim control over their lives.

A dynamic voice in both media and advocacy, Otaria is dedicated to ensuring young people are not just heard, but empowered to write and or rewrite their own stories and challenge systemic barriers – one story, one community, and one movement at a time.

Goodness James

Child Marriage Expert

Goodness James is a dynamic Strategic Communications Manager and Gender Advocate dedicated to amplifying conversations that drive real change in women’s health, digital literacy, and social development. With over six years of expertise in stakeholder engagement, digital strategy, and impact-driven storytelling, she has carved a niche for herself as a champion of inclusive and transformative initiatives.

As the founder of Project 29 Foundation, Goodness leads programs that bridge gaps in education, inclusion, and digital empowerment, equipping individuals—especially women and marginalized communities—with the tools to thrive. She is also the visionary behind the My Body Initiative, a powerful digital content series designed to break the silence on critical women’s health issues, fostering open dialogue and awareness.

Her academic foundation in Peace and Conflict Studies (MSc, Political Science) and International Relations and Diplomacy (BSc) equips her with a nuanced understanding of policy, advocacy, and systemic change. Whether shaping narratives, designing high-impact programs, or driving social change, Goodness remains steadfast in her mission to build a world where women’s voices, rights, and opportunities are fully realized.

Morenikejimi Olaniran

Menstrual Equity Expert

Morenikejimi Olaniran is a dedicated advocate, researcher, volunteer and social impact leader with 5+ years of experience empowering underserved communities and IDP camps in Nigeria.

She has impacted thousands of lives through initiatives focused on mental health, personal development, sexual and reproductive health.

She holds a degree in Child Development and Family Psychology from Olabisi Onabanjo University and has advanced her expertise in Human Rights and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence at Harbor Heritage University. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to creating sustainable change.

At the age of 15, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and experienced period poverty simultaneously. This dual challenge gave her firsthand insight into the struggles of lacking both basic education and access to sustainable menstrual hygiene products. These experiences fueled her passion for addressing these issues, empowering individuals to live healthier and more dignified lives.

She’s an alumnus of prestigious programs such as the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a champion of NGYouthSDGs and an ambassador for My Best Self App, where she advocates for mental health. Her work encompasses youth advocacy, with a particular focus on empowering women and teenagers. By combining education with practical solutions, sheaim to break the cycle of period poverty and foster a generation equipped to thrive.

Morenikejimi’s dedication to social impact has earned her numerous awards and grants, recognizing her as a social advocate in community development and youth empowerment.