Monday July 21, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
An organisation, Let Girls Read, Run, Grow (LGRRG), has commended Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong and his Troost-Ekong Foundation and Global Air University for their exceptional foundational partnership, which saw to the successful hosting of Camp NexGen™ 2025, in Akwa Ibom.
The 3-day programme, which welcomed 150 students, aged 13-15 years, from underserved socioeconomic backgrounds, with 60 per cent female participation and 30 per cent representing orphaned youth, took place on June 24-26, 2025 at Topfaith University in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
A statement at the end of the event by the LGRRG founder and Board chair, Idara Otu, an Olympian, who represented Nigeria in Athletics at the 2012 Olympic Games, explained that the partnership with LGRRG included direct involvement in planning, fundraising, and leading daily athletic training sessions.
She said Camp NexGen™ delivers a unique Sport and Steam experience designed to combat Africa’s youth unemployment crisis by exposing young people to high-demand career fields through engaging, hands-on learning.
During the 3-day event, participants received professional football training from Troost-Ekong himself, while Global Air University provided specialised STEAM training that enabled campers to build and fly drones and code computer games using the Scratch programming language.
This deliberate approach encouraged campers to pursue challenging STEAM subjects in school, opening pathways to careers in fields where current and future employment opportunities are concentrated. More information about the programme is available at campnexgen.org.
Otu said the camp’s success was amplified through strategic partnerships, including US-based Bras for Girls, whose collaboration enabled LGRRG to provide each female camper with her first sport bra—removing a significant barrier to continued athletic participation.
“The reality we face is that Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis is real. But here lies the opportunity—we know the next 30 years of job creation is coming from STEM fields.
“So, the time is now to plant seeds and challenge our campers, ‘why not you?’ in these careers. When these young minds can see careers in Physics, Maths, and Engineering come alive before their eyes, they don’t just dream—they make plans,” Otu said.
She thanked Topfaith University for providing venue, accommodation, and security support that made the transformative experience possible, adding, “LGRRG remains deeply grateful to the beautiful nation of Nigeria and its people for embracing our mission, and we’re excited to continue our partnerships with the Troost-Ekong Foundation and Global Air University on projects that will further empower Nigeria’s youth.
“Camp NexGen™ is not just about Sports or Science. It’s about showing the children that they belong in any room and on any field,” said William Troost-Ekong.
The 3-day event marked the fifth iteration of Camp NexGen™, following previous successful camps in Lagos, Nigeria; Harare, Zimbabwe; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Accra, Ghana.
Otu started Let Girls Read, Run, Grow (LGRRG) in 2017 to build up the African girl through education, athletics, and entrepreneurship, and its comprehensive programmes and impact can be explored at lgrrg.org.
Camp NexGen™ is one of LGRRG’s signature programmes, and the organization soon plans to break ground on a girls’ primary school in Akwa Ibom.
