Yusuff Liadi Abiodun is the Chief Executive of iLEAD AFRICA and the founder of the Be The Change Initiative, a youth-led social change network that advances civic engagement, open government, and sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa. Under his leadership, iLEAD AFRICA has empowered over 30,000 young people through digital advocacy, civic education, and community leadership programs aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions).

His flagship Be The Change Initiative mobilizes youth through advocacy campaigns, grassroots town halls, innovation challenges, and digital capacity-building, reaching over 50 communities in Nigeria alone.

Despite facing funding limitations, digital infrastructure gaps in rural areas, and civic apathy, Yusuff has built strategic collaborations with the African Union, OGP, UNDP, and the U.S. State Department. His projects have trained over 2,000 youth activists, facilitated hundreds of civic actions, and supported policy dialogues at local and national levels.

Yusuff’s work demonstrates scalable, inclusive, and tech-driven solutions for social impact. His ability to inspire youth, shift narratives, and activate sustainable action has made him a leading voice in Africa’s civic innovation space.

Internationally, Shamser’s advocacy spans high-level forums including the UN CSO Town Hall with PGA79, OECD Green Finance Forum, IGF 2024, and UNICEF’s webinar on child identity rights. His campaign with Save the Children UK on digital safety reached over 5,000 young people, promoting safe internet practices and ethical AI use. He is also the youngest verified contributor at Dgccso and a dedicated member of the Water Youth Parliament, working to secure water rights for vulnerable communities.

Holding over 20 global certifications from leading institutions like Harvard, WHO, and UNITAR, Shamser combines research, leadership, and global engagement to drive change. His published works, One Earth, One People and The Impact of Global Warming on Bangladesh, reflect his commitment to climate justice. Despite challenges of scale and representation, Shamser continues to bridge local action with global impact, inspiring a new generation of changemakers worldwide.