In an era where young voices are increasingly shaping global conversations, 14-year-old Oluwadamilola Johnson Adesoro, a Year 9 student of Start-Rite Schools, Abuja, is rising as a beacon of youth leadership, advocacy, and purpose.
Recently inducted as a UNICEF Nigeria Young Influencer, Damilola joins a select group of changemakers championing the rights and protection of children across the country. As part of this prestigious role, he will feature in a UNICEF-backed series titled The ABC of Child Rights, using his voice to inspire awareness, responsibility, and action among his peers and the wider public.
Damilola’s influence recently extended beyond Nigeria’s borders when he travelled to London this May to participate as a speaker and panelist at the 43rd Council of British International Schools (COBIS) Annual Conference. He was one of only eight students worldwide selected to engage with over 500 school leaders and education stakeholders. Before his departure, Start-Rite Schools’ Principal, Mr. Femi Akinlade, offered words of encouragement, reminding Damilola to embody the school’s values and seize the moment as a true ambassador of excellence.
Taking the stage in London, Damilola delivered a stirring message on the importance of empowering young people to take active roles in shaping a better world, both in physical spaces and online. He urged the audience to rethink passive digital behaviour, closing his address with a question that lingered in the room:
“Will you scroll past problems, or will you click on change?”
His words resonated deeply, drawing praise and admiration from education leaders across continents.
On his return to Abuja, Nigeria, Damilola’s achievements drew the attention and admiration of Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, CON, SAN, the Chairman of Start-Rite Schools. During the warm meeting, the Distinguished Senator, a passionate advocate for student voice and inclusive leadership, congratulated Damilola, advising him to remain focused, humble, and committed to his dreams of becoming a legal professional and an actor.
Damilola’s rise is no accident. It is the result of an environment purposefully designed to nurture excellence. Since joining Start-Rite Schools in 2014, he has been shaped by a holistic curriculum and culture that values leadership, creativity, character, and global citizenship. Through programmes like STEAM, the Pillars of Character, Education for Sustainable Development, and Global Citizenship Education, the school empowers students to think critically, act ethically, and dream boldly.
Start-Rite Schools is a place where every child’s potential is discovered, nurtured, and celebrated. In Damilola, the school’s vision finds vibrant expression, a confident, articulate, and globally minded leader of tomorrow, already making meaningful impact today.
WRITTEN BY START-RITE MEDIA UNIT