I had the privilege of attending the Regional Consultation on Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) - North Central Zone in Abuja as one of the consultants representing an organization I once served as the FCT State Coordinator. It was an insightful session focused on advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Engaging with key stakeholders and experts reinforced the importance of collective action in ensuring no one is left behind in Nigeria’s development journey.

Embracing Growth: A Journey of a Quiet Advocate

They say storytelling is the new way to showcase oneself and one’s achievements, but for a quiet and soft-spoken woman like me, it has always been a challenge. I'm often called "the soft-spoken lady." While my writing skills surpass my speaking abilities, I’ve long shied away from sharing my story. However, with the advent of AI tools, I’ve harnessed technology to craft strong and seamless messages, proving that being tech-savvy has its advantages.

Even so, I remain quite reserved on social media. There’s little to be found about my personal life or achievements except through organizations that have experienced my work firsthand. One of my mentors once advised me to make storytelling, particularly online, an integral part of our advocacy efforts. For someone as shy and introverted as I am, this felt like an uphill task.

Despite this, I realize there’s so much impact I’ve made over the years that hasn’t been documented, and it’s often difficult for soft-spoken women like me to appear strong and capable in the eyes of investors or collaborators. But today, I’m leveraging this medium to celebrate a new milestone among many unspoken ones.

I am transitioning from my role as the State Coordinator for the FCT UN SDGs Alliance to a new position Advisory Team of the same alliance. This promotion reflects two years of active service and meaningful impact—both direct and indirect. In my new capacity, I now mentor and guide emerging SDG advocates and leaders within the alliance, providing support and direction for their programs and projects. It’s a role that brings me immense joy and fulfillment.

I am profoundly grateful to all my mentors. These individuals and organizations have encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, explore my potential, and channel my efforts into creating meaningful change.

To all the shy and soft-spoken girls out there: there’s so much within you waiting to be discovered. Find the right team, embrace their support, and be willing to learn, endure, and grow. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small, and remember that your voice matters—even if it’s soft-spoken.

Join me in celebrating this new phase of my journey as I continue to fly the flag high and make a difference!