Being named a Top 30 Under 30 Global Changemaker for 2025 by Opportunity Desk is both an honor and a moment of reflection. This recognition is not about a single achievement; it represents the cumulative effect of a year defined by movement, responsibility, and transition.

Opportunity Desk exists to empower young people worldwide by connecting them to opportunities that shape ideas, careers, and futures. To be recognized by a platform that serves millions of young people globally affirms the belief that youth-led work, when intentional and sustained, can influence systems at the highest levels.

The Work Behind the Recognition

2025 was a year of global presence and grounded action. From January through December, my work spanned research, policy, entrepreneurship, media, and community engagement.

Academically, the year marked major milestones, including the publication of my first Lancet paper, a highly viewed article in Obesity Reviews, and a BMJ publication on obesity and the global NCD agenda. These outputs were not isolated wins; they were part of a broader effort to position obesity and NCDs as urgent global priorities.

On the policy front, I contributed to WHO guideline processes, engaged in Africa Regional Committee meetings, and represented lived experience at the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health. September, in particular, was transformative, with engagements at UNGA in New York, hosting global health leaders, and participating in high-level dialogues shaping the future of NCD governance.

Entrepreneurially, 2025 marked a turning point for Lifesten Health, from joining the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship to pitching at Imperial College London and partnering with WHO at the Africa HealthTech Summit. These moments reflected a shift from pilot innovation to systems-ready solutions.

At the same time, community and youth engagement remained central. From mentoring students and amplifying youth voices through the African NCD Champions Podcast, to national advocacy wins on alcohol policy and tobacco control, the work stayed rooted in people, not platforms.

What “Changemaker” Means to Me

Being a changemaker is not about visibility; it is about consistency. It is about showing up in rooms where decisions are made, while staying accountable to communities where those decisions are felt. It is about holding lived experience alongside evidence, and ensuring that innovation serves equity.

This recognition belongs to every collaborator, mentor, institution, and young person who shaped my journey in 2025. It is a reminder that the work continues, and that recognition is only meaningful if it fuels greater responsibility.

As I step into 2026 under a new mantra — “This Year, We Transform” — this honor strengthens my commitment to building systems, shaping policy, and supporting the next generation of young leaders to move from opportunity to impact.