Inspired by Soohemba’s achievements in humanitarian service and youth development, our team at EWB interviewed Agatha, where she shared insights about running her not-for-profit organisation, her journey as the first female Student Union Government president at Benue State University (BSU) and how these shaped her passion for leadership and community impact.
Soohemba’s Journey from Campus Trailblazer to Youth Advocate – Breaking Barriers and Building Leaders.
Soohemba’s story began with service. At just 12, she stepped into the world of volunteering, inspired by the humanitarian work she witnessed in her community. That early exposure ignited a lifelong passion for justice, gender equality, and policy-driven solutions. Her belief is simple but profound….
Young people, especially women, deserve the education, tools, and support to lead meaningfully .
At just the start of her legal career, Soohemba has already carved out a space as a powerful advocate for youth leadership and women’s empowerment. A recent law graduate and founder of the nonprofit Nobul Africa Foundation, her journey is one of courage, clarity, and conviction, proving that change doesn’t wait for perfect conditions.
Sothemba’s leadership journey reached a major milestone when she became the first female Student Union Government President at Benue State University (BSU), representing over 25,000 students between 2021 and 2023. Her motivation to run wasn’t just ambition; “it was a response to injustice”.
Witnessing a female candidate pushed out of contention for gender and political reasons, she made a bold choice to run herself.
Despite having no prior political experience, she led with purpose. Her administration introduced a health insurance scheme that had long been ignored, revived campus social life, and built strategic partnerships with nonprofits to improve student welfare.
It was a term defined by innovation and resilience, but also marked by the pressure of navigating stereotypes and systemic resistance as a woman in leadership.
Soohemba’s experience as student union president didn’t just end when her term did; it redirected her life’s mission.
She recognised the twin challenges of youth unpreparedness and the gender-specific barriers faced by young women. She founded Nobul Africa Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to developing young leaders through education, leadership development, and civic participation.
Her goal was clear:
“Equip a new generation of change-makers to step up with confidence, clarity, and competence”.
Soohemba’s early days were anything but easy. With no steady income, limited role models, and minimal access to funding, launching her initiative was a lesson in perseverance. Funding applications often required experience she hadn’t yet gained, creating a frustrating loop for many young changemakers like her.
But she pressed forward through mentorship, strategic partnerships, internships, and travel, learning from different leadership ecosystems. Recently, her years of persistence paid off when Nobul Africa Foundation secured its first grant, a significant milestone and validation of her work.
Her story offers practical wisdom for aspiring leaders. She urges young people not to be overwhelmed by the pressure to achieve big things immediately. “Start small,” she says, “but start anyway.” She recalls her student campaign days without money for flyers; she relied on mouth-to-mouth conversations, letting her vision speak louder than materials.
Her four key steps to building sustainable impact:
- Maintain Focus
- Develop grit
- Commit to Identify your purpose
- Continuous learning
Above all, she emphasizes her faith as a non-negotiable success factor, crediting prayer and a belief in God for giving her strength and direction through challenges.
Leadership can be exhausting, and Agatha is candid about the emotional toll. Her go-to strategy for avoiding burnout? Stepping back to restrategize. During law school, she consciously slowed her nonprofit work to maintain quality in both areas rather than stretch herself too thin. She reminds others that balance isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for sustainability.
Agatha knows firsthand how scarce female mentors can be, especially in her environment. She found inspiration through books and social media when local guidance wasn’t available. Her experiences underline how critical, safe, supportive mentorship is for women, especially in spaces where gender dynamics often complicate professional relationships.
Now, she’s committed to becoming the mentor she never had, opening doors for other women and fighting the quiet battles that too often go unseen.
Soohemba’s message to young women is bold and empowering: “What are you waiting for?”
She reminds them that the world’s greatest leaders often began with nothing but a dream and grit. Their stories, like hers, are built not on perfection but on resilience.
To the next generation, she says:
“Hold your ground, even when the odds are against you. Because every bold step you take, no matter how small, builds a legacy of change”.
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