Advocate for Efficient Policy Implementation for SRHR in Nigeria

Panel discussion on ‘Addressing Policy Implementation and Funding Gaps for SRHR Impact’ at the SRHR Policy Dialogue Hosted by Nigeria Health Watch

By Yecenu Sasetu

Imagine this. There is a girl. We will call her Anna.

Closing Reproductive Health Gaps: An SRHR Policy Dialogue

Speakers of Panel I, who Discussed Advancing Youth-Friendly SRHR Service Delivery in Nigeria

By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

Shades of Us attended the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy Dialogue hosted by Nigeria Health Watch with support from Organon on July 3, 2025. The theme, Closing Reproductive Health Impact Gaps – Strategic Approaches for Equity and Access, was an important conversation focused on the gaps in SRHR information and service delivery with global funding cuts and the need for more innovative approaches for sustainability. 

Rethinking SRHR for Nigerian Youth

Ramatu (Shades of Us) and Bernard (EVA Nigeria) Discussing “Rethinking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for the Young Nigerian.” on Montage Radio

By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

On July 5, 2025, Shades of Us and Education as a Vaccine (EVA Nigeria) joined the Health 360 program on Montage Radio, 99.7 FM, Abuja to discuss “Rethinking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for the Young Nigerian.” This conversation was inspired by the ongoing SRHR Policy Dialogue hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (with support from Organon) on July 3, 2025.

Shades of Us Recap: The “Picture This – Captions for Change” Challenge

As part of our continued commitment to ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advancing human rights, Shades of Us marked the 2024 16 Days of Activism with a powerful storytelling initiative titled: “Picture This: Captions for Change.”

Two Women

Image by Shades of Us

By Yecenu Sasetu

Poverty became a harsh reality for me about ten years ago when I met a pregnant woman who had never attended antenatal care because she couldn’t afford the N100 registration fee. She was eight months pregnant but had never been examined by a doctor or nurse, simply because she couldn’t pay to register at the Primary Health Center.

Gambling: The Loss Beyond Money

Photo by Sunday Abegunde on Unsplash

By Yecenu Sasetu

I tried my hand at gambling once, even though I grew up with the words “gambling is a sin” ringing in my ears. If you are a Christian, you don’t go near gambling, but I did. My friend convinced me to, and like many young Nigerians today, I wanted to hit and hit fast.

Shades of Us at the 2025 Festival of Change

Festival of Change Attendee at the Shades of Us Booth Learning about our Mobile Cinema Project

On June 12, 2025, Shades of Us participated in the Festival of Change 2025, held at the Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, University of Lagos. This year's festival, themed "CONNECT: Bridging Education and Technology at All Levels," brought together educators, technologists, policymakers, and innovators to explore the intersection of education and technology.

25 Years of BET Awards Brilliance

Kirk Franklin at the 2025 BET Awards.
Image Credit: People

By Cynthia Umeh

The 2025 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards, which happened on June 9, wasn’t just another awards night. It was a statement. It was a moment. It was Black excellence on full display. The 25th BET Awards took over the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles with a celebration of music, film, sports, and culture, unapologetically Black, deeply inspiring, and wildly entertaining.

Unpacking the Challenges Faced by Female Musicians in Africa

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

By Simbiat Amzat

The African music industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. With the rise of digital platforms, African artists are now more accessible than ever, and their music is being appreciated by fans globally. This newfound exposure has catapulted African artists to international fame and opened up new revenue streams and opportunities for growth. 

More Than a Classroom: My Journey with N-Power in Sheda, Kwali

Ojonugwa Yahaya and Other Teachers at the Junior Secondary School Sheda, Kwali. Image Credit: Ojonugwa Yahaya

by Ojonugwa Yahaya

When I look back at my time serving as a class teacher in Junior Secondary School Sheda, Kwali — under the N-Teach category of the N-Power scheme — I do so with deep gratitude. That chapter wasn’t just about employment; it was a season of growth, bonding, and purposeful impact.

Planting Seeds of Change: Why Our Actions Today Must Speak for Tomorrow

Students in a Junior Secondary School in Abuja, Nigeria. Image Credit: Ojonugwa Yahaya

By Ojonugwa Yahaya

Within school walls and beyond, we must rise to the responsibility of shaping a future we won’t have to apologize for.

The Intersection of Menstrual Health and Digital Privacy

Photo by Kaboompics.com on Pexels

By Adetayo Adetokun

In today’s digital age, managing menstrual health has become more convenient with the advent of FemTech—technology designed to address women’s health issues. From tracking cycles to predicting ovulation, these applications offer personalized insights. However, as we commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day annually on May 28, it is crucial to examine the privacy implications of sharing intimate health data with these platforms.

On Male Infertility: Breaking the Cycle of Shame

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

By Adetayo Adetokun

I was sixteen when my father told me he could not have another child.

Unity

Photo by Edmond Dantès on Pexels

By Glory Ayobami Ogunbodede 

They were five minds, five flames — each burning bright in their corner of Jos. But separate fires only warm so much. What if they could set the whole city alight?

The Big Catch-Up for Vaccination

Photo by Masum Rahimi on Unsplash

By Simbiat Amzat

We have immunization on our minds at Shades of Us, with special focus on The Big Catch-Up. 

So, what is The Big Catch-Up? 

Accelerating Action Towards Gender Equality

Photo by Tope A. Asokere on Pexels

By Simbiat Amzat

Women are the true architects of society. Every International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the need to empower women, move beyond stereotypes, and take concrete steps toward building a more equitable world.

Her Strength in Every Story: A Recap of the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala

Panel Session at the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW)

By Cynthia Umeh and Simbiat Amzat

At Shades of Us, we believe that when women thrive, societies prosper. We also know that art is a way to tell stories about the health and well-being of women and girls in a way that provides solutions for societies’ norms that negatively affect women and girls. So what happens when health meets art? For a third year, this has meant the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art (NGA) and the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN). 

Amplifying Voices, Driving Change: Reflections from the National Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Conference

Group Photo of Participants at the Inaugural National Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Conference hosted by Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative

By Cynthia Umeh

Shades of Us attended the inaugural National Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Conference hosted by Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), HIVOS, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), and other partners on April 12, 2025. This is a pivotal gathering dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of internally displaced persons (IDPs), with a special focus on women and girls. We joined this event to amplify the lived experiences of the displaced, spotlighting community-led solutions, and advocating for sustainable action that centers on dignity, empowerment, and equity. 

Equal Opportunities

Image by PNW Production on Pexels

By Olayinka Precious 

Growing up in Kano, Aisha always knew the world was not fair. She watched her mother, a skilled tailor, sew intricate designs late into the night, only to earn barely enough to feed the family. Yet men with half her talent made more money.

On Emilia Pérez, Hollywood Stereotypes, and the Stories That Shape Us

Image by UOL

By Adetayo Adetokun

Hollywood has always been a storyteller. But it doesn’t just tell any stories—it tells stories that shape how we see the world. It decides who gets to be a hero, who is worthy of love, who is feared, who is pitied, and who is ignored.

So You Are…

Image by Samuel Adeleke on Pexels

By Adetayo Adetokun

So you are  11…

You are 11, and the world still belongs to you.

Beijing+30 Review Conference

 

By Simbiat Amzat

The Beijing+30 review presents a pivotal moment to evaluate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a groundbreaking framework for women's empowerment adopted in 1995.

UNESCO Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Design by UNESCO

By Simbiat Amzat

Shades of Us participated virtually as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event was marked by the launch of an impactful campaign, “Imagine a World with More Women in Science,” which seeks to advance gender equality in the sciences and encourage more girls and women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This milestone initiative underscores the importance of fostering inclusivity and representation in these critical fields.

Break the Mold

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

By Simbiat Amzat

Luck shone on Olufunke when she got an employment offer from a top construction company in Abuja right after completing her service year. She was determined to make a lasting impression and stay out of any trouble that came her way.

The State of Education in Nigeria

Photo by Şeyhmus Kino

By Atinuke Adeosun

"Education is the foundation upon which we build our future." Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Education is the foundation of any prosperous nation. It drives economic growth, fosters social development, and ensures future stability. Yet, in Nigeria, the education system is being systematically dismantled—not just by neglect but by deliberate actions of those in power who benefit from keeping the masses uneducated.

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards

Angela Bassett at the 56th NAACP Image Awards
Photo Credit: Highsnobiety

By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

The 2025  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards was a night of celebration, empowerment, and recognition of Black excellence. Held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, this prestigious event honored outstanding achievements in film, television, music, and literature by people of color. The awards ceremony not only highlighted the incredible talent and contributions of Black artists but also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and recognition in the arts and beyond by people who look like us.

Why Are Black People Still Dying From Preventable Diseases?

Photo by Nappy on Unsplash

How many more Black mothers must die during childbirth before the world takes notice? 

How many more Black children must perish from malnutrition, even in an era of scientific breakthroughs?

Why are Black bodies still disproportionately carrying the weight of disease, suffering, and medical neglect?

You Don’t Rate Yourself Enough

Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash

By Adetayo Adetokun 

If you knew someone who does even half of what you do,

You wouldn’t just admire them—you’d stand in awe of them.

You’d talk about their strength like it’s divine,

Rethinking Hunger: How To Achieve Food Security

Images by Abubakar Balogun on Unsplash

By Pius Onyebujor

From the beginning of civilization and before humans began to grasp the true nature of the world around them, hunger has been a long-standing issue. The world’s approach to tackling it has evolved over time, some being successful while others lead to famine and malnutrition. Food aid has been a crucial part of hunger relief, yet we need a more innovative and sustainable approach to tackling this problem.

The 2025 Grammys: A Good Year for People Like Us

The GRAMMY Award
Image by the Recording Academy

Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards happened on February 2, 2025, and as usual, it was a night of glitz, glamor, and a celebration of some of the most talented music creators in the world.