In a world racing towards digital transformation, Promise Ekeh is ensuring that girls, especially those often overlooked, aren’t left behind.
From the streets of Warri to the academic halls of Imperial College London, Ekeh’s journey is one of grit, vision, and purpose. Through her non-profit organisation, Empower the Future Innovators Initiative, she is equipping young girls with the tools and mindset to thrive in a tech-driven world.
In this interview with Rita Oyiboka, she speaks about the gaps she’s bridging, the challenges she’s faced, and why preparing girls for the digital future isn’t optional, it’s urgent.
Let’s meet you, ma.
My name is Promise Ekeh. I am the founder of a non-profit organisation called Empower the Future Innovators Initiative. I’m originally from Imo State, but grew up in Warri, Delta State.
Take us through your educational background.
I studied Geology at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun. I later worked as a geoscientist at an oil and gas service company (Degeconk). That experience pushed me to advance my career, which led me to apply for my master’s programme. I received a scholarship from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) for a master’s degree in Petroleum Geoscience at Imperial College, London, in 2020.
What inspired you to start a foundation?
I started the foundation out of a need to inspire, mentor, and educate. I inspire because I come from a poor background. My parents did everything they could to ensure we got an education. I want people to understand that even though they come from humble beginnings, they can still become something.
I also created the foundation to mentor others, because I never had a mentor growing up. Most of what I teach now, I had to figure out on my own. So I want to mentor young people, especially girls, and help them realise they can achieve great things, no matter where they come from.
Finally, to educate. Young people need to learn so much, including that school is not a scam, that career goals are important, and how to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.
When was your NGO founded?
The idea came in November 2024. I had been speaking with young people and realised something was missing: a return to the basics. We needed to fix the mindset and provide exposure.
I originally planned to organise the programme as an individual, but I got advice to register an NGO to make it easier to attract support and partnerships. Companies and donors prefer working with organisations.
The NGO is still in the registration process, but it was the impact that came first; the NGO followed from that.
You mentioned that you lacked mentorship growing up. Can you expand on that?
Yes. I believe young people need guidance. There’s nothing new under the sun. The path you’re trying to take has been walked by someone else, and it’s faster when you follow in their footsteps, especially when they hold your hand and guide you.
For me, I had to figure things out by myself. That’s one of the major reasons for establishing Empower the Future Innovators Initiative. Growing up in Warri, I faced struggles many girls still face today, and I wanted to be the helping hand I never had.
What are the peculiar struggles of girls in Warri?
From my experience, a major challenge is a lack of access, not just to resources, but to exposure. I came from a humble background, and we didn’t have access to information or opportunities. For example, paying school fees was a struggle, and choosing a career path was even more confusing.
There are fewer opportunities for girls in Warri compared to places like Lagos. In Lagos, there are conferences, competitions, and access to mentors and organisations. Many people questioned why I insisted on running the programme in Warri instead of Lagos, but that was exactly the point; these girls need such opportunities the most.
Growing up, I wasn’t even aware such opportunities existed. I only started to realise the gap when I met my peers from other places who had access to things I didn’t even know I needed.
Most of these girls wouldn’t know they need mentorship or digital skills until someone introduces them to it. That’s the gap I’m trying to fill by creating the opportunities I wish I had. People often say girls should do better, but often people have to know better to do better.
What has your NGO done to fill that gap?
We recently held a workshop on this International Women Day where we impacted over 200 secondary school girls in Warri, equipping them with tools, skills, and the confidence to thrive in a digital world.
But we are not stopping there. We are taking it further with a one-year mentorship and training programme for 30 exceptional girls selected from the workshop.
These girls will receive hands-on training in leadership, financial literacy, health and wellness, and digital skills. By the end of the programme, they will collaborate to develop a technology project or product, showcasing their innovation and skills.
We also plan to provide laptops and internet access for the girls throughout the programme to give them the tools they need to succeed.
Having run this initiative for almost a year now. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?
The biggest challenge is finance. We’ve selected 30 girls for the year-long programme, and we need to provide laptops and monthly internet subscriptions. These aren’t cheap, and there’s only so much I, my family, and friends can contribute.
We’re actively seeking partnerships with organisations, companies, and government bodies.
Another challenge is logistics. Since I’m not currently in Nigeria, coordinating things on the ground can be tricky. Everyone involved is volunteering, and many have full-time jobs. We need people who can manage activities daily, ideally, full-time staff. But again, that requires funding.
We plan to kick off the full mentoring phase on June 7, so we’re working hard to pull everything together.
With many NGOs’ focus being on women’s empowerment, do you think young boys are being sidelined?
That’s a question I get quite a lot. It’s also why I deliberately chose to register the NGO as Empower the Future Innovators Initiative, rather than naming it Empower Her. The overall initiative is titled Empower the Future, and under that umbrella, we have programmes like Empower Her, which is specifically targeted at females.
But my vision has always been holistic. Everyone is currently focused on the girl child, but very few are paying attention to the boy child. For me, it’s about youth empowerment, not just female empowerment.
For example, last year I organised a 30-day challenge on Python programming, called Code April. Every day for 30 days, I provided learning resources. Over 200 people registered, and a large number of them were boys. So while this current initiative targets girls, we plan to do more that involves both male and female youth. Eventually, there will be programmes specifically for boys too.
What do you do professionally, aside from your NGO work?
As I mentioned earlier, I studied Geology and worked as a geoscientist before relocating. After completing my master’s, I transitioned into data science and analytics, applying my data skills in the oil and energy sector.
I currently work full-time as a Data Geoscientist, combining my data and geoscience skills. I also train and mentor people in data analytics, conducting personal training sessions and running a YouTube channel where I talk about data science. My focus is on using data to solve real-world problems.
That’s why the sub-theme of the initiative is Digital Literacy for the Girl Child. The world is going digital, and soon basic digital skills will be essential for everyone. I want to equip girls with these skills and equipment early on, unlike me, who got a laptop in my university days.
During the March workshop, we had panel discussions, and many of the girls asked questions like, “Why do girls end up in the kitchen?” That mindset is exactly what we are working to shift. Seeing professors and highly qualified women on the panel helped these girls understand they have more options in life
Every career-driven person has dreams. In your case, what are your career goals, both in data analysis and your geology background?
I aspire to rise to the top in my scientific field, Geoscience. I’m very passionate about it and hope to reach a position where I can shape policies that impact Nigeria’s energy future, especially in oil and gas.
On the tech side, I envision merging both fields, Geoscience and Tech. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that I have a background in both. I see myself using tech tools to drive innovation in oil exploration and development in Nigeria.
Also, I want to inspire the next generation. If, 20 years from now, a girl walks up to me and says, “That event you held changed my life,” that would be the greatest fulfilment of all.
What’s your message to young girls who look up to you and want to follow a similar path?
My message is simple: start where you are, with what you have. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, it never will be. I didn’t have mentors or access growing up, but I was determined to make something of myself. Read widely, stay curious, ask questions, and never be afraid to fail.
Most importantly, believe that your voice matters and your dreams are valid. If you’re consistent and intentional, the world will eventually take notice. And when you rise, don’t forget to lift others. That’s how we change the narrative, one girl at a time.
