Nigeria's largest youth entrepreneurs platform

Drug-free, skilled and ready to lead.

YESA is a youth development movement tackling drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, crime and unemployment through mentorship, sport, sensitization and enterprise. We work alongside NDLEA, NACA, UNODC and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

6Years of impact
3M+Young Africans reached by the platform
350k+People mentored and referred
5k+Startup loans facilitated

United Youth Pledge · Guinness World Record event

One pledge. Thousands of voices. A record for a drug-free Nigeria.

Young Nigerians stand together to pledge against drugs, crime and HIV/AIDS, all at the same moment. Registration is free but compulsory, and every participant receives a GWR participation certificate.

UNODCNDLEANACAEFCCFMYD
5,000simultaneous participants targeted
Register for free Sponsor the record
A GWR adjudicator presents an official certificate to a YESA representative in front of a stadium crowd
Official GWR adjudication

Core programmes

Five ways we change a young person's path

Each programme carries one colour from the YESA wheel. Together they move a young person from awareness, to recovery, to a livelihood of their own.

SADA

Sensitization Against Drug Abuse, Crime & HIV/AIDS

Football tournaments that pull whole communities in, with sensitization talks, free drug and HIV tests and counselling between matches.

ADAAM

Anti-Drug Abuse Ambassadors Mentorship

Rehabilitation pathways, peer education, life skills and enterprise training for at-risk and recovering youths, who then lead outreach themselves.

PLEDGE

United Youth Pledge

A national Guinness World Record event against drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and crime, targeting 5,000 participants pledging at once.

YEEH

Youth Enterprise Empowerment Hub

Skills and enterprise training that turns post-rehabilitation into dignified work. SADA 2025 beneficiaries started businesses as POS merchants.

YMP

YESA Merchandise Programme

Mission-aligned apparel that funds programmes, builds a shared identity and powers youth micro-enterprise. Wear your purpose.

Visit the Impact Store

Post-event impact report

SADA Football Cup 2025: the full-time score

Three days in Abuja, 17 to 19 October 2025. Every player and coach was drug-tested before kick-off, and every match opened with the SADA pledge.

SADA Football Cup champions celebrating with the trophy A community team lines up before a 5-a-side match Back of a Youth Walk Against Drug Abuse T-shirt
SADA CUP 2025 · FCTFT · 3 DAYS
20Community teams
300Players
3,000+Spectators reached
800Youths tested for HIV and counselled
73New ADAAM ambassadors
0Incidents of violence
3M+Media impressions
5Youths set up as POS merchants
100%No-drug policy enforced

With FACA, AHF, IHVN, NDLEA, UNODC and coverage on TVC News, Arise TV, AIT and The Nation.

Federal Ministry of Youth DevelopmentNDLEANACAUNODCFCT Agency for Control of AIDSAIDS Healthcare FoundationInstitute of Human Virology NigeriaNational Sports CommissionEtranzact · PocketMoniZampoles Empowerment Foundation

Our track record

From summit stages to stadium pitches

YESA started by bringing young founders, mentors and leaders into one room. It has grown into a nationwide movement that meets young people where they are.

2021

YESA Summit, National Merit House

20 young entrepreneurs pitched; three won ₦1,000,000 start-up grants.

2022

Young Entrepreneurs Summit

"The Voice of the Nigerian Youths": candidates for President, Senate and House of Reps on one stage, listening.

Panel of speakers at the YESA summit
2023

YESA/NDLEA Youth Summit

A nationwide sensitization of students on drug abuse and youth productivity, starting in Abuja.

Award presentation at the YESA/NDLEA Youth Summit
2025–26

SADA Cup and the United Youth Pledge

Sport-powered sensitization in the FCT, followed by the Guinness World Record pledge.

Packed lecture hall during a drug abuse sensitization

All events Photo gallery

YESA Walk Against Drug Abuse banner march
Walk Against Drug Abuse
Speaker addressing students
Sensitization in tertiary institutions
Audience at a YESA summit
YESA Summit audience
Students filling a lecture theatre
Campus outreach
Frank Nwike, founder of YESA

Our vision

To be Africa's leading youth-led platform, transforming vulnerable young people into empowered, drug-free innovators and leaders by 2035.
Led by Frank Nwike
Founder, YESA Initiative · Zampoles Empowerment Foundation

YESA Ambassadors

Builders who open doors for the next generation

Our ambassadors are entrepreneurs and professionals who mentor, employ and sponsor young Nigerians. Read their stories

TATega AkpolophiFounder, Otega Furniture. Has put 40 children through school on scholarship.
OFOwoama Franklin IkechukwuLeadgate Homes. Trains young people in solar installation.
PEPromise EgwimMD, Profilledworld Homes. Over 70 young employees.
PUPrada Uzodimma, Esq.Founder of a law school scholarship with 15 recipients.
AAAdenike Isi AdeekoHospitality entrepreneur leading a team of 138 in Abuja.
From an attendee

"The sessions were inspiring and practical. I left feeling focused and ready to build my future."

Grace N., summit attendee