By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Benin City, Nigeria — Favour Osaretin Evbuomwan is a Nigerian youth leader, creative professional, and social impact advocate who has gained global recognition for his work in youth mental health and community development.
He recently emerged top among over 1,000 global participants, earning a $1,000 grant from The Kectil Program for his community project, Beyond Stigma: Fostering Mental Well-being and Inclusive Communities.
The Beyond Stigma initiative received international acclaim for establishing Edo State’s first public high school mental health club, now officially integrated into the school system and positioned to serve over 700 students of Edokpolor Grammar School (Junior).
Through school sensitizations, a virtual awareness event featuring speakers from Nigeria and beyond, and an active online mental health community, the project has strengthened awareness, peer support, and access to mental health resources for young people.
Favour’s commitment to youth development is rooted in years of leadership, advocacy, and service. Born on January 18, he hails from Benin City, Edo State, completed his primary education at Notre Dame Group of Schools, and attended University Preparatory Secondary School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Ambrose Alli University.
He has served in notable student leadership roles, including Deputy Senate President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG SRC) and President of the National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS), AAU Chapter. During his tenure as NAESS President, he signed a communiqué with the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS) and led a health and wellness program providing sensitization and free medical checkups for students.
Beyond advocacy, Favour is a creative professional with over eight years of experience in graphic design and digital communications, collaborating with organizations across sectors to build purpose-driven identities and engage communities. He has volunteered with the Nigerian Red Cross, engaged with the Hult Prize Foundation, and is a trainee of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). He is also a Kectil Program alumnus.
Reacting to his global recognition, Favour described the achievement as “a win for every young person committed to creating meaningful impact.” He reaffirmed his dedication to scaling mental health awareness, strengthening youth-led solutions, and contributing to sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa.