Unekwu Noel Abdullahi, a former earth scientist with Chevron Nigeria, has dedicated his life to empowering young people in Africa and beyond. As the founder of Navigating With Noel, a youth development organisation, Abdullahi has equipped over 500 young people with skills training and mentorship. His philanthropic journey began with a missionary trip to Ghana in 2011, where he encountered young men caught up in internet fraud. A poignant question from one of the young men - "What do we do now? This business is all we know" - sparked Abdullahi's vision for Navigating With Noel.
Abdullahi's personal experiences have shaped his mission. Raised by his elder brother, a military officer, Abdullahi credits his brother's guidance and discipline for his success. Later, spiritual fathers played a significant role in his life, providing mentorship and support. Abdullahi realised that these experiences had a profound impact on his life and wanted to provide similar opportunities for other young people. He began by establishing a small knowledge centre in Ghana, where he provided computer training and evangelism.
The lessons Abdullahi learned from his early experiments in Ghana and Lagos informed the development of Navigating With Noel. He understood that faith without practical opportunity is incomplete evangelism and that technical skills without character can produce a more sophisticated criminal. Abdullahi's approach combines Christ-centredness with skills-focused training, aiming to equip young people with both character and competence. This philosophy has guided the organisation's growth and development over the years.
One of the significant challenges Abdullahi faced was funding. For most of Navigating With Noel's existence, Abdullahi has been the primary funder, investing his own money in the organisation. However, he recognises that a vision that depends permanently on one person's wallet is not sustainable. The organisation is now restructuring, documenting its impact, building a board with real governance, and exploring grants, CSR partnerships, and programme sponsors.
Abdullahi has also had to overcome challenges related to the organisation's model and people. He learned that mentoring one person at a time is powerful but does not scale, and that training people is not the same as employing them. The organisation has had to iterate its approach, building systems rather than depending on Abdullahi's presence. Country directors, assigned coaches, defined roles, and service-level expectations have helped to ensure the organisation's continued growth and success.
Six years in, Navigating With Noel has made a significant impact. The organisation has impacted over 500 young people, delivered more than 50 programmes, and built a digital community of over 5,000 members across Africa and the diaspora. Abdullahi is proud of the smaller, more personal achievements, such as the Life Ready Individual programme, which takes young people through six months of structured mentoring. The organisation has also created pathways into legitimate employment and entrepreneurship.
Abdullahi attributes the organisation's success to its values and principles, including Christ-centredness, character and competence, and integrity over visibility. He believes that accountability is essential, which is why it is one of the organisation's three pillars. As Navigating With Noel continues to grow and evolve, Abdullahi is confident that its impact will be lasting, outlasting him and becoming a legacy for the young people it has empowered.
Key points
- Navigating With Noel has equipped over 500 young people across Africa and the diaspora through mentoring and skills training.
- The organisation's approach combines Christ-centredness with skills-focused training, aiming to equip young people with both character and competence.
- Abdullahi has had to overcome significant challenges, including funding, model, and people-related issues, to ensure the organisation's continued growth and success.
