Victoria Ibiwoye
Pronouns: she/her
Organisations: OneAfricanChild | Founder
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Profile
Victoria Ibiwoye was born in Nigeria in 1993. At the age of 19, she founded an NGO called OneAfricanChild Foundation, driven by the desire to help young Nigerians to become better informed citizens of the world. When establishing her organisation, Victoria placed a strong emphasis on the concept of global citizenship and the interconnectedness of the modern world. Growing up with symptoms of dyslexia, Victoria would often feel that her performance lacks quality compared to others. One of the key aims of OneAfricanChild Foundation is that everyone has the potential to explore and learn about the world around them, regardless of their background. In the Foundation, Victoria played a crucial part in helping children become aware of the world around them and unleash their potential through education. She is driven by the urge to create inclusive learning spaces for children with learning disabilities, from marginalised communities, or who would not be able to attend school if it was not for OneAfricanChild Foundation. As a teen, Victoria looked at her country and quickly pinpointed the potential that the youth held. These days, she would define herself as a Peace Building specialist.
Story
When Victoria started her NGO for children's education in Nigeria, Kenya, and Benin Republic, she felt intimidated and uncertain about her ability to make a difference. Growing up, she often heard adults claim that young people couldn't have an impact and that change required the work of adults. However, the founder of OneAfricanChild refused to accept this mindset and launched her project while still a youth.
In Nigeria, millions of children are unable to attend school due to poverty. Victoria saw an opportunity to help these children, often from marginalised communities, to realise their potential and develop creativity through education. Her NGO, OneAfricanChild, promotes global citizenship education, teaching skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and ethical leadership—skills vital in today’s world. Victoria believes that everyone can contribute to changing the world and that ‘education can change the world, to put it simply.’
The organisation offers classes during school hours, but most are after-school sessions designed to accommodate and reach as many children as possible. The education and opportunities provided not only transform the lives of these children but also equip them to create change with the tools they’ve been given. They develop leadership skills essential for making a positive impact.
Despite adults telling her she needed to wait until she was older to take action, Victoria ignored this advice. Yet, she continues to encounter distrust when introducing her youth-led organisation. Securing funding is challenging for any NGO, but even more so when its leaders are young. Youth often implies a lack of credibility in the eyes of investors, who may not take the project seriously. Nevertheless, the team is resourceful, working tirelessly to secure individual donations and mini-grants to keep the initiative running. Leading an NGO demands hard work and significant responsibility. There’s often an expectation that leaders should handle problems alone. Victoria stresses the importance of seeking help, acknowledging vulnerability, and accepting that no one has all the answers. As she nears 30, she recognises the importance of keeping the organisation youth-led. She believes it’s time for a new young leader to step in, even though leaving her role will be difficult. She reflects – ‘If you decide that nobody can do it better than you, your vision will just stay and die with you.’ By ensuring young leaders remain at the helm, Victoria’s organisation will continue to address the needs of today’s youth with the same energy and drive as when it was founded.
Published in 2025