Oluwafeolami Awe-Joseph

“I’ve met and worked with countless young changemakers doing powerful, impactful work, often in silence. My podcast gives them a spotlight.”

- Oluwafeolami Awe-Joseph

Oluwafeolami Awe-Joseph is a 19-year-old creative, and passionate education and youth advocate from Nigeria. “I would describe myself as multi-passionate, someone who’s always exploring new ways to express ideas, help others and make an impact,” she said. “Whether I’m speaking, writing, podcasting, or leading initiatives, I am focused on sparking change in the lives of young people as well as everyone I meet.” 

Feolami  grew up in an art-filled home with music constantly playing in the background and where she had the freedom to explore different forms of expression like drawing, sketching, painting, moulding clay, singing, and writing. “As I got older, I leaned into the creative outlets that helped me connect deeply with others, especially writing, speaking, and storytelling. That’s how I eventually began using my creativity as a tool for activism.”

Her podcast, The Youth Have a Voice, is one of the creative projects she’s proudest of. “It’s a platform I built to shift narratives around youth, particularly in Africa and the diaspora, where young people are often perceived as directionless or unambitious,” she said of the podcast. “But I’ve met and worked with countless young changemakers doing powerful, impactful work, often in silence. My podcast gives them a spotlight and inspires others who may feel unseen.” 

Alongside interviews, the podcast has solo episodes tackling real, relatable youth struggles such as self-doubt, procrastination, or burnout. “These issues often get dismissed, especially in the Global South, but they’re real. For me, creativity and activism merge when I use my voice to make others feel seen, valued, and empowered,” she explained.

Civic space in Nigeria is considered repressed, and though Feolami has not faced direct violence or intimidation, “I am constantly aware of the caution many young people sometimes have to take when speaking out. As someone creating youth-focused content and running a nonprofit, I stay intentional about how I communicate advocacy to ensure it’s both impactful and safe.” 
She continued: “That said, the limitations in Nigeria’s civic space can feel discouraging, especially when youth voices are overlooked or dismissed. It’s frustrating because I know how powerful youth-led change can be. I haven’t let that stop me, though. Instead, I’ve focused on building spaces, online and offline, where young people can express themselves, learn, and lead without fear. My creativity is my form of resistance, and I believe visibility, storytelling, and community support are some of the strongest tools we have.”

The young creative adds: “I’ve always believed that if I want to enter a space and the door isn’t open, I shouldn’t wait for someone to invite me in; I can create my way in, breaking the barrier to make it more accessible for others like me.” This mindset has shaped a lot of her work. 

When considering what creatives like her need, Feolami explained: “I genuinely hope the government begins to recognise just how impactful young people are, especially when they come together for the right reasons. We deserve more support across all sectors!”

“I always say that young people deserve a seat at the table to make decisions and actively contribute; they deserve to be heard, not just invited for the sake of ticking off a goal on a checklist,” she said. “I hope all governments and institutions, especially in the Global South, begin to adopt this mindset. Real progress requires trusting youth as partners in change, not just seeing them as beneficiaries. We need visibility, community, and consistent support, especially financial and structural backing that enables us not just to start projects, but to sustain and scale them meaningfully.” 

For the Emerging Creatives Program, Feolami has co-created a trailer showing a behind-the-scenes look at her podcast. 

INSTAGRAMPODCAST