Summer Okibe’s commitment to education, mentorship and community development nationwide

For many young Nigerians, access to quality education remains uncertain. High tuition costs, limited mentorship, food insecurity and poor infrastructure continue to affect millions of children and students across the country. Against this backdrop, lawyer and energy policy analyst Summer Okibe has built a growing network of initiatives focused on education, mentorship and community development.

Okibe, 29, has combined work in law, climate governance and public policy with projects designed to support children and young people from low-income communities. Her work spans scholarship support, academic mentoring, environmental education and healthcare interventions.

At the centre of these efforts is the To Support Young Kids (TSYK) Foundation, established in 2019. The foundation began as an informal mentoring platform and later expanded into a structured initiative providing scholarships, career guidance and academic support to young Africans. According to the organisation, more than 300 beneficiaries have received support through its programmes.

One of the foundation’s key projects is Graduate School 101, launched in March 2022. The programme was created to help students understand the graduate school application process, which many young Nigerians often find difficult to navigate. Through workshops and mentoring sessions, participants receive guidance on writing personal statements, applying for scholarships, contacting supervisors and preparing competitive applications for universities within and outside Nigeria.

For several beneficiaries, the programme has provided access to information that was previously unavailable to them. Many students from public universities and underserved communities often lack direct access to academic advisers or international application resources. Graduate School 101 aims to close that gap by simplifying the process and making information accessible.

In April 2022, Okibe released “UNDRIP Simplified for Children”, an illustrated educational resource based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The publication was designed to help children understand global human rights issues through language and illustrations suited for younger readers. Also, in May 2026, she distributed 1,000 storybooks and sketchbooks titled “Adam & Eve Repurposing Rubbish into Worth.”

Her work also extends beyond classroom support. Through Operation Help the Sick, launched in 2019, healthcare assistance is provided to students and families facing medical challenges that could interrupt schooling. The initiative focuses on helping children remain in school while receiving care.

In 2024, the foundation expanded its outreach with Mission Stop Hunger, a programme focused on food support, nutrition awareness and sustainable agriculture. The initiative addresses the growing effect of food insecurity on families and school children in several communities.

The same year also saw the launch of the Environmental & Climate Change Spelling Bee, a competition aimed at improving climate education among pupils. Another campaign, Keep Your Environment Clean, promotes sanitation and environmental awareness within local communities.

These projects reflect a wider approach to education and development. Rather than focusing only on tuition support, the programmes address factors that affect learning outcomes, including health, nutrition and environmental conditions.

One of Okibe’s largest projects is Aderayah Academy, a tuition-free and solar-powered school currently under development in Enugu State. The academy is expected to provide education for children from low-income communities when completed in 2028.

The name Aderayah Academy comes from the phrase “Answered seed by Yahweh”. According to project plans, the school will operate with solar energy to reduce electricity challenges that affect learning in many parts of Nigeria. Land for the project has already been secured, while planning and development activities are ongoing.

Beyond community projects, Okibe has also contributed to discussions on climate governance, energy systems and sustainable development through public speaking and published articles. Her work has appeared in international publications, including discussions on artificial intelligence and energy systems. She has also spoken at platforms such as TEDxNzaStreet.

Her contributions have received recognition through several awards and fellowships. These include Alberta’s Top Young Women in Energy in 2025, the JCI Top 100 Outstanding Young Persons of Nigeria in 2022, the Young Woman of the Year Africa Award in 2025 and the Flight 302 Legacy Award in 2025.

Okibe’s work highlights the role of mentorship, community support and long-term planning in creating opportunities for young people. Through projects focused on schools, healthcare, climate education and food support, she continues to build systems aimed at helping children and students move from limited access to wider opportunities.