Our #OnePerson for August 2025 is Hammed Kayode
Hammed Kayode Alabi is a Nigerian social entrepreneur, educator, and changemaker dedicated to equipping young people across Africa with the skills, confidence, and vision to shape their future. From teaching in a rural Lagos community at just 15, Hammed has grown his initiatives into programs that have impacted tens of thousands of learners across the continent.
He is the founder of the Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative (KLCI), a youth-led organisation that provides mentorship, leadership training, and career development opportunities. Through KLCI, Hammed has empowered over 10,000 young people across 14 Nigerian states, helping them pursue meaningful careers and make positive contributions to their communities.
In 2020, he launched Skill2Rural, an edtech platform designed to equip young people in underserved communities with practical 21st-century skills. Skill2Rural has supported over 128,000 learners across Africa, giving them the tools and knowledge to thrive in today’s workforce. Building on this, Hammed developed Rafiki AI, an AI-powered career advisor that serves youth across 44 countries, providing guidance and resources to help young people navigate their career paths effectively.
Hammed’s dedication to youth empowerment is rooted in his early life in Makoko, one of Africa’s largest floating slums in Lagos. Growing up amidst challenges, he drew inspiration from his parents’ emphasis on education and the strong sense of community around him. These experiences shaped his commitment to creating opportunities for himself and others, a vision that continues to drive his work today.
Beyond his initiatives, Hammed is also an accomplished author. His books reflect his journey and his commitment to empowering youth. The Africa I Dream To See is a hope manifesto emphasizing the transformative power of education and the potential of African youth. In 5 Years: 10 Lessons Life Taught Me, he shares personal experiences and the lessons learned in his early career, offering insights into resilience, purpose, and navigating life’s challenges. Additionally, Career Wisdom: Ideas to Kickstart Your Career, co-authored with Abiodun Olugbenga Ajayi, provides practical guidance for young professionals seeking to build meaningful careers. Through his writing, Hammed extends his impact, inspiring readers across Africa and beyond.
Hammed’s work has garnered global recognition. In 2025, he received the University of Edinburgh’s ‘Being Edinburgh’ Alumni Award, celebrating his transformative contributions to education, youth empowerment, and social innovation. He was selected for the Western Union Global Fellowship Program in 2023, where he achieved first runner-up among 47 fellows. In 2024, he became the only African chosen for the ImpactAI Scholarship, which allowed him to attend the One Young World Summit in Canada and explore how Generative AI can enhance youth empowerment. That same year, he was nominated for The Future Awards Africa in the Young Person of the Year (Education) category, recognising his remarkable impact on African youth.
Hammed’s story shows that leadership is not about age; it is about vision, determination, and action. From a small classroom in Lagos to empowering over 138,000 learners across Africa, he has shown that one person’s commitment can create ripples of change that span an entire continent.
Let us celebrate Hammed Kayode Alabi as proof that one person can empower a generation and inspire others to do the same.