Prominent Nigerian youth development advocate and entrepreneur James Popoola has earned a nomination for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year, set for November 14, 2026. He joins four other distinguished finalists as the prestigious award scheme celebrates its milestone 20th edition.
Popoola, popularly known as the “Gen Z Coach”, is shortlisted alongside Abdul Azeez Abdulyekeen, Taiwo Aromolaran, Deborah Johnson and Nora Awolowo for the award, which recognises young Africans making contributions to their communities and society.
The five-book author said the nomination would encourage him to expand his work in youth leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development.
“I see this nomination as encouragement to keep doing the work, but also as a reminder that there is much more to be done. There are young people with enormous potential who need access to the right information, mentorship, opportunities and support systems,” he said.
Popoola is the founder of Youthford Fellowship, Executive Director of Rootrise Youth Development Initiative and Principal Consultant at Inkspark Global Publishing Limited. He is also a co-founder of CARBUT, a knowledge-brokerage platform launched in 2024 to connect young people with information and opportunities in careers, business and technology.
He also contributes to the Beyond the NYSC Summit, which provides development opportunities for more than 5,000 young people annually, and leads Youthford Fellowship, a 12-week virtual programme for people aged 18 to 35.
The fellowship received more than 500 applications from 22 countries for its inaugural cohort, selecting 100 participants from 18 countries and more than 50 campuses.
Its training focuses on leadership, systems thinking and social impact, with an emphasis on preparing participants for the changing world of work.
“Through this fellowship, we aim to bridge the unemployment gap by equipping participants with the skills needed to thrive in this digital age and earn a decent income, skills that are not always adequately provided by our current academic system,” Popoola said.
A graduate of History and International Studies from the University of Ilorin, Popoola has also been involved in student leadership, digital knowledge-sharing and international youth engagement.
He currently serves as Africa Liaison for Afro Free Culture Crowdsourcing Wikimedia (AfroCROWD) and has represented Nigerian youth at the United Nations headquarters since 2024 through the Summit of the Future process.
“The real value of recognition is what it inspires you to do next. I want to keep building programmes and platforms that help young people become more capable, economically empowered and ready to lead,” he said.
The Future Awards Africa, organised by The Future Project, recognises young Africans whose work and contributions are making an impact across different sectors.
What You Should Know
The Future Awards Africa is a renowned platform that celebrates young Africans making remarkable impacts across various sectors. James Popoola’s nomination highlights his extensive work in youth leadership, mentorship, and digital capacity building through initiatives like the Youthford Fellowship and CARBUT.
- Positive Impact: This recognition elevates youth-focused advocacy in Nigeria, inspiring more young people to build sustainable careers, bridge unemployment gaps, and take up leadership roles.
- Potential Concerns: While the nomination is a personal and professional milestone, it underscores the persistent need for systemic support and structured funding to scale youth empowerment programs across the continent.
