Beyond the Shelf

Photo by Jadon Johnson on Unsplash

By Florence Shadrack

I had never wondered what happened to a project after it was graded.

The New Public Square

by Victor Jacob

Every generation has had its own public square. For our parents and grandparents, it was the village square, the town hall, the classroom, the marketplace, or the community meeting where people gathered to exchange ideas, settle disagreements, and shape society — more of a physical square.

The Road That Decides Her Future

Image by Ramatu Ada Ochekliye for Shades of Us

By Timothy Ojo

Tawiah's story below is a composite illustration, drawn from the common, well-documented experiences of rural girls across the region — not a single named individual.

The Room Where Education Dies

Image by Shades of Us

By Kashibu Victory

I once sat in a classroom that looked complete—walls painted, desks arranged, a teacher at the front. But something was missing. Not something visible, but something you could feel.

If They Don't Care, Nothing Changes

Image by Shades of Us

By Kashibu Victory 

On July 17, 2026, I sat in my room listening to people talk about how to change minds, and I heard something that made me pause: “As a writer, know what your why is.” Hearing this made me know that this is all I needed to hear and work with when writing stories or blogs. 

Who Gets to Shape Global Health?

Photo by A Chosen Soul on Unsplash

Reflections on Decolonizing Research and Reclaiming African Voices

By Florence Shedrack

On 15 July 2026, I had the opportunity to represent Shades of Us at the webinar titled Decolonizing Global Health: Practitioner Perceptions and Pathways for Practice, facilitated by Dr. Anthony Francis Mveyange, a development economist and Director of Programs for Synergy at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). The session challenged long-held assumptions about power, partnership, and knowledge production in global health. More importantly, it challenged me to rethink what equitable collaboration should truly look like. 

Who Owns Our Voice?

Image by Shades of Us

By Florence Shadrack 

Not too long ago, civic participation was something we associated with public squares, community meetings, and peaceful protests. Today, those same conversations have found a new home online. Across Africa, digital platforms have become places where citizens organise relief efforts, expose injustice, demand accountability and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. A single post can mobilise communities. A video can spark national conversations. A hashtag can unite thousands in pursuit of justice.

The Plastic Smile

Participants Watching Our Short Film and Reflecting at the Jos Mental Health Summit

By Atinuke Adeosun

“Trauma is the basis of all mental illness.”

Beyond the Shelf

Photo by Peter Chikubula from Pexels

By Florence Shadrack

I had never wondered what happened to a project after it was graded.

Why the Walk to School Looks Different for Girls

Image by Planeteelevene on Pexels

by Kashibu Victory 

Walk down a quiet road in almost any rural community on a Tuesday morning, and you will notice a familiar pattern. While children in uniform make their way toward the local schoolhouse, dozens of young girls are doing something entirely different. They are walking toward the market with heavy baskets balanced on their heads, carrying younger siblings on their backs, or trekking miles just to fetch water.

The 9th Nigeria Family Planning Conference Is Happening

By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

The 9th Nigeria Family Planning Conference will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from November 30 to December 4, 2026, beginning with the Women, Youth and Interfaith Pre-Conference, followed by the Main Conference from 2–4 December.

Climate Resilience and Reproductive Choices

Photo by Ninno JackJr on Unsplash

By Victor Jacob

Not once did I consider that there could be a relationship between climate change and sexual and reproductive health rights. Like many people, I often thought of climate change in terms of rising temperatures, floods, and droughts. I recently joined an event hosted by MSI for Women's Reproductive Choices on the discussion of Women’s Voices on Climate Resilience and their Reproductive Choices. Of course, since the event brought light to climate change and how it affects women differently was more centered on how it does, and why it does, so I prepared myself to be educated.

When Did Improper Waste Disposal Become Normal?

Image by Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

By Victor Jacob

From my primary school days, one lesson was repeated almost every day: discipline went hand in hand with orderliness. It was a value our teachers constantly reminded us of, both inside and outside the classroom.

Decolonizing Global Health

Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

By Victor Jacob

 

Whenever conversations about global health come up, they usually centre around disease outbreaks, vaccines, medical research, or improving access to healthcare. For the longest time, that was exactly how I thought about it too. To me, global health was simply about finding better ways to keep people healthy. Sometimes, however, all we need is a little more education to broaden our perspective.

Married Too Soon

Photo by E. Diop on Unsplash

By Florence Shadrack 

There was a question Zainab asked so often that everyone in the house could answer it before she finished speaking.

“What do you think I will become when I grow up?”

What Is the Point of a Story If It Changes Nothing?

By Victor Jacob

Writing should be more.

The Hidden Burden of Depression and Anxiety Among Young People

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

By Florence Shadrack 

“You are too young to be depressed.”

A Rehab Reset: Why Checking In Matters More Than We Think

Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash

by Victor Jacob

I never really enjoyed watching podcasts on YouTube. For a long time, they simply were not the kind of content I found myself drawn to. But over the past few months, that has changed. I have come to appreciate how educational they can be, and I often find myself reflecting on the conversations long after the episodes have ended. Recently, I came across a few podcast episodes that explored addiction, rehabilitation, and recovery. The conversations stayed with me long after they ended and inspired the reflections I am sharing in this blog.

Taking Period Shame Off the Timetable

A Student of Government Secondary School, Kuje, FCT, Wears the Cap with A Simple Message: No Shame in Flow!

By Cynthia Umeh

What is the first thing most students do when someone mentions menstruation in a crowded school hall?

Internships Are Becoming the Real Classroom for Young Africans

Shades of Us Builds the Capacity of its Interns on Mobile Photography and Videography

By Florence Shadrack 

On 10 July 2026, Take the Lead, a programme by West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR), brought together young professionals, researchers, and development practitioners to discuss a question that resonates with millions of young Africans: What truly prepares graduates for the world of work?

Why Internships Matter in Preparing Young People for the Future of Work

Shades of Us Joined WADR for its Conversation on Internships

By Victor Jacob 

For many university students, graduation represents the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope, ambition, and the desire to build a successful career. We spend years attending lectures, completing assignments, writing examinations, and working towards earning a degree that we believe will open doors to professional opportunities. However, one question continues to challenge many young people: Is a university qualification alone enough to succeed in today's competitive job market?

Understanding Working Poverty

Photo by Oyemike Princewill on Unsplash

By Florence Shadrack 

The salary alert came in at 5:43 a.m.

The Missing Link in Modern Education

Photo by Lisa Marie Theck on Unsplash

By Kashibu Victory

Imagine sitting in a classroom where learning goes beyond textbooks. Instead of just reading about climate change, you watch a short film, discuss it with your classmates, and then create a campaign to raise awareness in your community.

Giving Voice Through Digital Storytelling

Photo by Kojo Kwarteng on Unsplash

By Kashibu Victory

In many parts of the world, access to quality education remains unequal. Learners from underserved communities often face systemic barriers that limit their participation and expression within formal education systems.

Conversations for an All-Inclusive Society

Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash

 By Victor Jacob 

The word ‘Society’, coined from the Latin word ‘societas’, means a friendly association, fellowship, or alliance. However, one may question whether we truly live according to this meaning in the society we experience today.