A bright green and yellow ribbon stretched across a doorway in Lagos, a pair of scissors closed, and fifteen years of work found a permanent address. On August 13, YEDI marked its 15th anniversary by unveiling a new youth hub — a space built for the young people who have always been at the centre of everything we do.
From One Pitch to a Home
When YEDI began in 2011, the idea was simple: meet young people where they already are. That first meant a dusty community pitch, a bag of footballs, and coaches trained to turn a game into a conversation. Fifteen years later, more than 370,000 adolescents have come through SKILLZ sessions, and over 571,000 lives have been touched across Nigeria — and the model has never changed. Trust first, then information, then access to care.
Cutting the Ribbon
The anniversary ceremony brought together the people who built this journey: traditional leaders, government partners, board members, coaches, volunteers, and young people from the communities we serve. In the moment the ribbon fell, there was applause, a few tears, and plenty of photographs — but the loudest sound was the reminder that this building belongs to the young people who will fill it.
Inside the Hub
The youth hub is designed to extend what a football session can start. It brings counselling rooms, a safe space for conversations about mental health and well-being, learning and mentorship sessions, and referral support for adolescents who need clinical care — all under one roof, all free, and all open without an appointment. Coaches who once carried a whistle in their pocket now have somewhere to send a young person who asks for help.
Fifteen Years of Thank Yous
No organisation reaches fifteen years alone. Thank you to our partners at Grassroot Soccer, the IShowSpeed Foundation, The END Fund, NNPC Limited, the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, Be Girl, and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. Thank you to every coach who has ever shown up early to mark out a pitch. And thank you, most of all, to the adolescents who trusted us with their questions — you are the reason there is a door to open. 💚
What Comes Next
The next fifteen years begin on Monday, with young people walking through that door. Watch this space — and if you would like to be part of what happens inside, reach out to partner, volunteer, or support a programme.
In the News
- YEDI marks 15 years, unveils youth hub in Lagos (Vanguard)
- YEDI at 15: Youth hub opens new chapter in fight for Nigeria's future (Naija Chronoscope)
