Leadership

Young people are not waiting to lead.

Elevate is governed and operated by a youth-led team working across programmes, people, finance, partnerships, media and digital innovation.

A coach leading young footballers during Level Up Makoko

Leadership philosophy

Close enough to listen. Structured enough to deliver.

Elevate combines a volunteer board of trustees with an operating team whose leaders are responsible for clear functions and local delivery. The structure protects youth voice while creating real accountability.

See how leadership connects to change

Featured leadership

The people carrying the mission forward.

Founder & Co-President, Projects

Abiola Adebiyi

Abiola founded Elevate in 2016 after visiting Makoko. She leads programme strategy, partnerships around project delivery and the long-term mission to connect young Africans with mindset, education, employment and innovation pathways.

Co-President, People & Operations

Fiyinfoluwa Adewumi

Fiyinfoluwa leads the people, culture and operating systems that turn Elevate's strategy into coordinated work across teams and locations.

Digital Innovation Lead

Francess Oyelade

Francess leads digital-product thinking at Elevate, including the development of learning experiences designed to extend practical skills and opportunity.

Media Lead

Oluwapelumi Abodunrin

Oluwapelumi guides Elevate's media practice—helping the organisation document programmes, protect participant dignity and make the work visible with clarity.

Operational leadership

Clear owners for every function.

Oghenevoke Kefe

Project Design Lead

Joy Nduka

Project Implementation Coordinator — Lagos

Precious Raphael Ogochukwu

Project Implementation Coordinator — Abuja

Mary Abbah

Special Projects Lead — Agricultural Services

Precious Adedeji

People Experience Lead

Adenike-Oloro Akingbelure

Finance Lead

Abiola Bolaji

Fundraising & Partnerships Lead

Volunteer governance

Board of Trustees

Four of Elevate's five trustees are under 30 in the organisation's January 2026 governance record.

Abiola AdebiyiChair

Onyinye EmeliSecretary

Precious TemowoTrustee

Simisola AwoniyiTrustee

Esther AdebiyiTreasurer

Bring your judgement

Leadership at Elevate is service with responsibility.

Experienced professionals can contribute as mentors, advisers, facilitators and partners without taking agency away from the young people closest to the work.

Explore ways to contribute