I THOUGHT I WAS JUST LISTENING. I DIDN’T KNOW I WAS NEXT. 🇳🇬🌍 - by 𝑫'𝒙𝑪𝑬𝑳𝑳𝑬𝑵𝑻 ™ ✍️🥇

Around December last year, if I remember correctly, I was sitting alone in my classroom at the University of Ilorin, listening to music on Spotify. Then I came across a podcast by the Knowles Educational and Charitable Trust for International Leadership (KECTIL) titled "Shocking Truths About Nigeria’s Kidnapping Industry,” hosted by Indian social entrepreneur, and public speaker: Ashwathy Venugopal The conversation featured Malik Abubakar Mujeli from Kebbi State, an Economics graduate of Al Hikmah University, and Oludipe Taiwo Oyindamola, a political science graduate of Ekiti State University who were there as representatives of Nigerian youth. I didn’t know either of them personally.I was simply listening, and I remember thinking:<blockquote>“Wow, these people are really doing something”</blockquote> They were talking about insecurity, kidnapping, and banditry and how these things affect young people's education, businesses, families, safety, and everyday lives. But what stayed with me was something else.I was sitting in a classroom, listening to young Nigerians take our stories into a global conversation.I thought:<blockquote>“Whoever comes next must have one hell of a story to tell.” 😭</blockquote>I never imagined it would be me.I went back to my own life. Writing.Advocacy, etc.Trying to figure things out. No strategy.No connection.Just showing up and doing what I could. Then, two days ago, an email arrived.I opened it.<img alt="" src="/media/inline_insight_image/1223.jpg"/><blockquote>“You have been selected for an interview for the 2026 Kectil Born to Lead Campaign.”</blockquote>I checked the email again.I even went back to Spotify to listen to the podcast again like,<blockquote>Oh… is this one😂</blockquote> What makes this even more special is the timing.KECTIL is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.A year ago, I was discovering their work. Today, I’m being invited to be part of the conversation.Life really has a funny way of connecting the dots. 😂😭🇳🇬 In the coming days, I’ll be in touch with Mr. Hein Htet Oo (Ray), Deputy Country Director of the USA for the Global Youth Parliament and Campaign Lead for KECTIL.I’ll share my journey, the work I’ve been doing, and some of the realities, dreams and possibilities I see among young people in Nigeria. By September 18, a video of me travelling from my classroom at the University of Ilorin to a global conversation with young people across developing countries. But honestly, this post isn't really about me getting an interview.It is about the young person who is currently where I was. Watching.Learning.Trying and wondering when their own opportunity will come. If that is you, please keep going.And please learn to be happy when someone around you moves forward. Support people.Learn from people.Work with people.Celebrate people. Someone else's opportunity does not cancel yours.I listened to Malik and Taiwo. I admired what they were doing. I learned from them without even knowing them.And today, I have the opportunity to continue that conversation. There are so many young Nigerians with stories.People with brilliant ideas. People with talent. People quietly solving problems in their communities without anyone noticing. Sometimes, they don't even need much.An opportunity.A little resource.A platform.A sponsor—I need one too, please 😭🙏🏽.But most importantly, someone willing to listen. You never really know what someone can become when they finally get the chance to be seen.That’s why I want to keep creating spaces for young people to share their stories. If you’re one of them, I’d love to hear from you:What are you building?What are you struggling with?What kind of support do you need?What story do you wish more people would hear? You don’t need to have everything figured out.Just keep going.One step at a time. Last year, I was sitting in a classroom, listening to someone else’s story.I didn’t know I was quietly making my way into the next chapter.Maybe yours is closer than you think. 🇳🇬 To Malik and Taiwo:Thank you for carrying the Nigerian flag before I ever imagined carrying it. 🇳🇬 And to other young Nigerian still trying to find their way:I see you.Keep showing up.Your story may be further along than you think. Alhamdulillah. 🤲🏽This is only the beginning. 🚀🇳🇬🙏 P.S. Don't forget to tip me for Sunday. 😂🙏🏽 I added a short clip from the interview here. If you want to hear the full conversation that I listened to back then:👉🏽 <a class="tc-blue external-link external-link external-link external-link external-link external-link external-link external-link external-link" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6j4qLixRLF3271fOZ5H1WG" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">open.spotify.com/episode/6j4qLixRLF32... </a>Listen to Malik and Taiwo. You never know what one conversation might leave with you. ❤️🇳🇬

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