IRUKA Africa empowers African youth, particularly girls, via education, leadership, advocacy, and community social development.
Amarachukwu Nwokokoro, affectionately called The Global Asset, is a Nigerian changemaker working at the intersection of policy, development, and social innovation. With a degree in Political Science and training from the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG), she has committed her life to designing real solutions around education, gender equality, and institution-building.
In 2018, Nwokokoro founded the IRUKA Africa Foundation, a nonprofit named after the Igbo word Iruka, meaning “the future is bright.” Through IRUKA, she is building systems that give young people, especially girls, the tools to thrive across the African continent.
The IRUKA Africa Foundation
The IRUKA Africa Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering African youth and transforming communities through education, advocacy, and sustainable development. Currently operating in 12 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, the organisation has plans to expand into 10 more countries by the end of 2024.
From its base in Houston, Texas, IRUKA Africa drives local impact through grassroots programs that address community needs. Its focus is directly aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
A huge part of IRUKA’s mission is SheIgnite, an initiative that equips girls with leadership training, hygiene education, and consent awareness to help them grow into confident change-makers. Thousands of girls have already passed through the program, many of them now leading school clubs and advocacy campaigns in their communities. In addition to SheIgnite, the foundation offers scholarships for underprivileged children, vocational training for youth, and widows’ empowerment programs that include financial support, skill acquisition, and trauma healing.
IRUKA Africa also runs a Nursing Program for Teens, helping young people, especially girls, access training and scholarships for careers in healthcare, including study opportunities in Germany. In low-income communities, the foundation organises feeding and clothing drives, delivers school supplies, and supports mental well-being through art therapy and education-based interventions. The foundation has reached over 20,000 people directly and is working toward its long-term goal of empowering one million girls by 2030.
Influence and global representation
Nwokokoro’s advocacy extends beyond community-level impact. In 2025, she represented African youth at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, where she shared grassroots perspectives on education and gender policy. Her growing influence in the development space has earned her multiple recognitions, including a feature in the 25under25 Awards for active citizenship and government engagement.
Alongside her nonprofit work, she runs Lilies Africa, a fashion brand that channels proceeds toward girls’ education. She also leverages her platform as a content creator to mentor aspiring changemakers and spread awareness around social issues. Her leadership style emphasises teamwork and youth participation, with over 300 volunteers powering IRUKA’s programs.
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