Around the world, Aspire alumni are engaging with initiatives that positively impact their communities and the individuals within them. Wahab Feyisara Fatima, a 2025 Aspire Leaders Program alumna from Nigeria, is making a difference across Africa as the Program Manager for BUILD54 Africa Foundation — a recent Aspire collaborator. This youth-driven organization works to empower young Africans through innovation, technology, leadership, and collaborative learning opportunities.
In an inspiring conversation, Wahab discussed the path that led her to BUILD54, and shared how the foundation is building a generation of African youth equipped to solve real-world challenges and lead sustainable development across the continent.
Please tell us more about your background. How did your early life experiences shape your current path?
I am an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, in southwestern Nigeria, from a middle-income family with a mixed religious background — my father is Muslim and my mother is Christian. This environment taught me tolerance, respect, and the value of community in my early years. As the firstborn and only girl in a close-knit family of five, I also learned leadership and responsibility from a very young age, taking pride in setting a positive example for my younger brothers.
High school became a turning point in my life. Studying in an all-girls environment built my confidence and self-esteem, and witnessing the transformative power of education ignited my deep commitment to it, revealing how it can create opportunities, change destinies, and give people purpose. I graduated as the best student in the Art and Humanities department for three consecutive years.
After graduating with a First Class from the University of Lagos, I worked as a Business Expansion Specialist, served as ambassador for the International Model United Nations and the World Literacy Foundation, and became an Assistant Presiding Officer during Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections, which deepened my interest in governance and civic engagement.
Today, as Program Manager at BUILD54 Africa Foundation, I continue to pursue my commitment to education, youth empowerment, and innovation.
How did you develop your passion for education and health literacy, and why are these areas important to you?
My passion for education has always been inherent in me. I deeply believe in John Dewey’s theory that “education is life itself and not a preparation for life.” It is the easiest ladder to success, empowerment, and revival. My parents always taught me that education is the best legacy, and I’ve witnessed how it breaks cycles of poverty, protects rights, and brings progress and dignity.
My interest in health literacy developed naturally alongside this. Health is wealth. Without good health, we cannot attend school, pursue education, or make a meaningful impact. The COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed what happens when health systems fail. My final year thesis on the influence of continuing professional education on nurses in Nigeria further exposed me to the gaps in healthcare and strengthened my passion for health literacy and health technology.
Education and health literacy are deeply interconnected. Good education improves health outcomes, and good health enables better learning. For me, SDG 3 and SDG 4 are not just goals, they are necessities I am passionately committed to. Together, they create complete empowerment for individuals, communities, and generations to come.
What is BUILD54 Africa Foundation, and how did you become involved?
BUILD54 Africa Foundation was created to bridge the critical gap between Africa’s largely theoretical education system and the practical skills demanded by today’s workforce. We equip young African youth with emerging digital and future-ready technological skills so they can become active contributors to the global economy.
We serve African youth through several key initiatives:
Hackathons and Innovation Challenges in partnership with Major League Hacking (MLH), where participants build AI-powered solutions to solve real problems across the African ecosystem.
STEM Prizes, awarding $1,500 to the best undergraduate thesis and $2,500 to the best postgraduate dissertation.
Incubation & Acceleration, offering funding, mentorship, and support to early-stage student entrepreneurs.
The Craft School, our flagship 16-week AI-native tech bootcamp, offering courses such as Agentic Software Engineering, AI & Data Engineering, Cybersecurity & AI Defence, and AI Solution Architecture. Graduates complete a compulsory three-month internship with reputable employers. So far, we
I joined BUILD54 through a lecturer’s recommendation right after graduating with my First Class degree. After one year working under the same CEO, he invited me to join as Program Manager, a role that perfectly aligns with my passion for education and youth development. As Program Manager, I coordinate programs, build partnerships, drive youth engagement, and lead event planning.
My vision is to see African youth transition from being consumers of technology to global innovators who meet international standards.
Where can people learn more about BUILD54 Africa Foundation?
You can learn more about BUILD54 Africa Foundation on our official website: build54.com. Our flagship program, Craft School Africa, also has its own dedicated website, https://crafts.school, where interested applicants can learn about the courses, instructors, mentors, and application process.
We’re also active on Instagram as build54africa and crafts.school.africa, on LinkedIn as BUILD54 Africa Foundation, and on X (Twitter) as @build54Africa and @craftschoolhq.
How can people support the foundation’s work?
African students can apply to join the Craft School tech bootcamp, participate in our hackathons, volunteer during our programs, or become a Campus Ambassador — we’re currently recruiting students from universities across Africa.
Professionals can serve as a mentor, volunteer to speak at our events, or offer expertise in other ways.
We also welcome partnerships from organizations interested in collaborating with us on joint initiatives or sponsoring our hackathons, incubation program, or students for the Craft School.
Those looking to explore partnership or collaboration opportunities with us can reach out to our team via email at hello@build54.com or feyisara@build54.com.
Our vision is to identify, reward, and amplify African geniuses and talents by equipping young people with future-ready skills. Whether you’re a student, professional, or organisation, we’d love to have you join us in building a stronger, more innovative Africa.
Last year, you took part in the Aspire Leaders Program — what was your program journey like?
My journey with the program was truly enriching. The instructors were exceptional, the sessions were insightful, and the workshops were very practical. I particularly enjoyed networking with participants from around the world through the Discord community. Since I had graduated only about six months earlier, the structured learning brought back fond university memories. I had to manage my busy schedule as Program Manager while completing the weekly assignments and final assessment, which further strengthened my time management skills. I passed both excellently.
In the Extended Leadership Program,I first completed the GMI Mentorship program, where I was mentored by the incredible Tim Meyer. He was an outstanding mentor, always ready to listen and guide. I have since applied for the Skill Advancement Grant and I’m hopeful about it.
The Aspire Leaders Program has broadened my horizons, boosted my confidence, and added great value to my professional profile. It’s a prestigious opportunity that I’m very grateful for.
What’s next for you?
Right now, I’m deeply focused on scaling the impact of BUILD54 Africa Foundation, where I started as Program Manager in March 2026. My goal is to bring the organization to global prominence through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, stronger youth engagement, and increased visibility. I want to expand our reach so we can equip even more young Africans with future-ready skills.
Beyond BUILD54, I’ve recently stepped into politics because I believe young people must actively participate in governance. I joined the Youth Party in Nigeria and currently serve as the Policy and Strategy Secretary for the Lagos State Chapter. This role allows me to contribute to policy development, advocate for youth-focused solutions, and create opportunities for the next generation.
Academically, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Health Technology and Healthcare Leadership. I’m also upskilling in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, having applied for the Skill Advancement Grant through the Aspire Leaders Program.
In the long term, I envision building a health technology startup an AI-native solution that will transform healthcare access and delivery across Africa. I also hope to establish initiatives that promote health literacy and support people with medical needs. Ultimately, I want to drive meaningful evolution in both the education and healthcare sectors while continuing to champion youth empowerment across the continent.
I am committed to service, continuous learning, innovation, and creating lasting impact. I truly believe that with the right combination of skills, policy, and technology, we can build a better Africa.
This article was originally published by Aspire Institute and is republished here with permission. View the original article here.
Aspire Institute provides fully funded, world-class leadership development programs to underserved young adults worldwide. Founded at Harvard University, Aspire empowers participants with the tools, networks, and confidence to become changemakers in their communities.
