Solomon Adewole is a traditional chief, community leader, and a beneficiary of the YouthLab Fellowship under the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cluster.
Solomon Adewole’s lifelong curiosity has always pushed him to question the world around him, a trait that eventually sparked his commitment to social change. Growing up, he witnessed gender-based violence, systemic unfairness, and rising health challenges within his community. His volunteering experiences deepened his understanding of these issues and strengthened his resolve to create meaningful impact.
His advocacy cuts across several interconnected areas, especially through the Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Program. Solomon is committed to combating HIV/AIDS, advancing quality health and prevention education, and challenging gender-based violence. He focuses on ending harmful practices and sexual harassment, supporting underserved groups, and promoting inclusive policies for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), alongside feminist leadership for men.
In Ekiti State, where he works, the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains at 50 percent according to MICS 2021, despite existing protective laws. FGM in many communities involves the full or partial removal of the clitoris before age ten, often linked to rites of passage or childbirth. UNICEF also reports that Ekiti State has the highest prevalence of teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Southwestern Nigeria. Deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs continue to fuel these practices and limit progress toward ending violence against women and girls.
As a changemaker, Solomon has been actively involved in advocacy and community engagement efforts to end FGM. He is part of a young team working across 14 communities in Ekiti State, using approaches such as reflective dialogue, house-to-house sensitization, survivor support groups, male alliance groups, community-based child protection structures, training, and strategic meetings. He also serves as a Young Social Media Advocate for UNFPA, using his digital platforms to push for the elimination of FGM and other harmful practices.
Through these efforts, Solomon has observed the urgent need to integrate mental health services into community interventions and strengthen awareness efforts to address the growing trend of medicalized FGM.
Under The Smile Outreach Youth Lab Fellowship, he launched the End The Cut outreach, a project aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), dispelling cultural misconceptions, and empowering students and community members to speak against the practice. The program reached 436 students and 10 teachers of Apete-Ayegun Community Grammar School, Ibadan, alongside community representatives. At the end, participants demonstrated improved knowledge of FGM’s dangers, increased readiness to challenge harmful norms, and stronger commitment to advocating for the protection and rights of girls in their communities.
His advocacy approach is deeply rooted in stakeholder engagement and indigenous education. Through storytelling and interactive sessions, he reaches parents, caregivers, and traditional authorities, fostering understanding and encouraging them to reconsider harmful practices. He emphasised the importance of patience and adaptability: “Working with people who have different ideas and beliefs, some of whom are resistant to change, taught me to work at their pace while actively involving them, sometimes prompting them to take the lead.”
Using his position as a traditional chief, Solomon engages indigenous communities to educate them on the psychological and long-term health impacts of FGM. He believes that men are a critical yet often overlooked stakeholder in efforts to end FGM. “Often, men are excluded from conversations surrounding FGM. I strongly believe that men have an important role in putting an end to this harmful practice”.
Reflecting on his journey, Solomon advised young advocates: “Start where you are and keep learning about FGM and advocacy. Take courses to sharpen your skills and use storytelling to your advantage. Most importantly, don’t be far from the field, because that is where you can truly connect with communities.”Through his leadership, hands-on engagement, and culturally sensitive advocacy, Solomon continues to exemplify the values of the YouthLab Fellowship, combining tradition, strategy, and empowerment to end harmful practices and protect the rights of girls.
