By Adesina Wahab

In its bid to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and community development, The 234 Project embarked on the 2024 edition of the 234 Impact Tour ’24 in Lagos, Jos, Plateau State capital; Ibadan, the Oyo State capital; and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The Programmes Manager of The 234 Project, Ifeoluwa Oyebisi, said the NGO organised both the 234 Beyond the Cycle programme and the 234 Entrepreneurship and Demo Programme in Jos.
She explained that the 234 Project team moved to Ibadan, Oyo State for the 234 Alumni Meeting and the 234 AI Hackathon Games.
Oyebisi stated that the 234 Impact Tour’24, aimed at equipping the Nigerian youths with the tools, skills and opportunities needed to thrive and become solution-oriented leaders driving societal progress.
She said, “The vision of this organization is to transform the minds and unlock potentials. The 234 Project in an impact-driven stride to empower Nigerian youths, embarked on the 234 Impact Tour ’24, covering an impressive 1,710 kilometers across Lagos, Jos, Ibadan, and Abuja. The tour brought a series of impactful events.”
At Jenta Mangoro, in Jos, Plateau State, the NGO distributed 200 menstrual sanitary kits to 100 girls, addressing menstrual hygiene challenges and promoting girls’ education under the 234 Beyond the Cycle.
The 234 Project Co-founder, Mobolaji Sokunbi, stressed further that the programme aimed at reducing the stigma and challenges surrounding menstruation, enabling young girls to stay in school, maintain their confidence, and focus on their education.
He added that the initiative reflects the NGO’s commitment to breaking cycles of inequality and creating opportunities for every girl to thrive.
Under the 234 Entrepreneurship and Demo Programme, of the 237 applicants, 20 entrepreneurs were virtually trained, with 12 graduating to present their businesses in Jos. Five judges assessed their projects, selecting five winners who each received a ₦100,000 business grant to scale up their ventures.
Sokunbi stated that the grant awards to top-performing participants demonstrated the organization’s commitment to fostering innovation, creating jobs and promoting self-reliance among youth, ultimately addressing unemployment and poverty in the region.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the 234 Alumni Meeting was held. At the forum, The 234 Project’s co-founders met with past beneficiaries of the organization’s programmes to evaluate the progress being made and foster community connections, strengthening the alumni network.
The 234 Project Co-founder, Akin Akinboro shared that “Bolaji and I held the 234 Alumni meeting to reconnect with past beneficiaries of the organization’s programmes, fostering a sense of community and continuity. By building a strong alumni network, we hope to inspire a cycle of giving back, where empowered beneficiaries can contribute to driving change, and mentoring others.”
The 234 AI Hackathon Games held at University of Ibadan, Oyo State garnered 40 participants in 10 teams who tackled real-world challenges using AI tools, presenting innovations such as a Road Accident Prevention Tool, an AI-powered crop Disease Detection Drone, and a Mental Health Support System.
Judges assessed the projects, awarding cash prizes to three winning teams. In an interview, Akinboro stated that “The goal of the 234 AI Hackathon Games is to ignite innovation and foster problem-solving among Nigerian youths by leveraging the transformative power of artificial intelligence. The initiative aims to equip participants with practical skills, encouraging them to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world challenges such as road safety, agriculture, and mental health.”
The Programmes Manager said that the 234 Impact Tour ’24 exemplifies The 234 Project’s commitment to driving youth empowerment across Nigeria, equipping the next generation of Nigerian leaders with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive regardless of the prevalent socio-economic challenges.