Leadership sometimes emerges from the most unexpected turns, and for Ifeoma Njoagwuani, the current President of the National Association of Illah Students (NAIS), the journey has been exactly that: unexpected, demanding, and deeply fulfilling.
Fresh from graduating with a degree in Theatre Arts and Film Studies from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, the young Illah native represents a new generation of student leaders determined to fuse education, community service, and youthful ambition. In this conversation, she reflects on her upbringing in Illah, the surprising path that led her to the presidency of NAIS, the challenges of coordinating a student movement, and her broader vision for empowering young people in the community.
Tell us about yourself. Who is the woman behind the President of the National Association of Illah Students (NAIS)?
My name is Ifeoma Njoagwuani. I’m from Illah. I am actually a fresh graduate. I just graduated from Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, where I studied Theatre Arts and Film Studies. I would describe myself as a passionate young woman from Illah who believes strongly in education, youth development, and growth. Beyond being the President of NAIS, I am someone who values service and leadership. I am committed to making positive impacts and changes wherever I find myself. And to be very honest, I love being here. I love being the President of NAIS, yes.
What was your upbringing like in Illah, and how did it shape the person you are today? Growing up, did you ever imagine yourself leading a student body like NAIS?
First off, I would say that growing up in Illah was peaceful. It was really peaceful and beautiful. It shaped my sense of community and responsibility. I learnt leadership early because I watched my dad lead a lot of groups here in Illah. So it’s not exactly like I’m taking after him or following directly in his footsteps, but he taught me a lot about what I am doing today. Growing up in Illah was beautiful and peaceful.
What motivated you to contest for the presidency of NAIS?
At first, I did not really have any motivation to contest for the presidency of NAIS. I was not interested initially. But after I contested in a beauty pageant here in Illah as Miss Illah and I didn’t win, I just wanted to shy away from everything else and go back to school to continue my life. However, some of the executives encouraged me. They said, “Valerie, you can do this. You’ve got this. We know you, and we know what you are capable of doing. Why not give this a shot and try?” Somehow, I believed in myself, and I did it. It has been about two years now. This is my second year as President of NAIS. To be very honest, it has not been easy, but I am grateful that I actually contested. Yes, I’m grateful I did it.
Since assuming office, what would you say are the major achievements of your administration? What have been the most challenging aspects of leading the association?
One of the major achievements of this administration was our recent inter-school competition. That’s why I was very happy, because it wasn’t just an inter-school competition. It was a campaign, a strong movement. I really loved it because, let’s just say, it was one of a kind. I’ve never seen any inter-school competition like that before. It was bigger than usual.
As for the challenges, the most difficult aspect has been coordinating people and resources. It has also been a great learning experience for me, but sometimes it is tough trying to bring people together, organise them, and guide them on how things should be done. You know how tough it can be trying to bring people together and lead them. In fact, being a leader is already tough, so I would say that is one of the most challenging aspects.
What inspired the inter-school competition, and what impact do you hope it will have on younger students in the community?
The inter-school competition is actually an annual event. It has existed even before I was born. However, this year’s edition came with a lot of inspiration because, as I said earlier, it was not just a competition; it was like a movement and also a form of sensitisation.
Part of what encouraged this year’s edition was the need to promote healthy competition among students. When students see that someone has won a big prize, maybe a scholarship or something huge, it motivates them to want to do better. It encourages them to put in more effort and strive for excellence.
How has NAIS contributed to educational development and youth engagement in Illah so far?
NAIS has been actively promoting education, organising community-based programmes, and creating platforms where students can learn, interact, and develop their talents. I’ll give you an example. One of the major aims for which NAIS was created is to bring people together, not just people in general, but specifically students from Illah.
When you bring these people together with good intentions and with the right leadership to guide them on what to do, you can only expect good outcomes and good results. That is exactly what we have been doing, and so far it has been paying off. Yes, it has been paying off.
What new programmes or reforms are you planning to introduce before the end of your tenure?
Before the end of the tenure, we are hoping to introduce a skill acquisition programme for some of the youth and students. Most times, these students have idle periods, especially after writing their Junior WAEC examinations and other exams like that. I would really love to create a space where they can learn new things that will keep them busy. They should be able to learn useful and productive skills during that time, and that is something I would really love to introduce.
Where do you hope NAIS will be in the next five to ten years?
In the next five to ten years, I hope NAIS will grow stronger, become more structured, and continue to serve as a major platform for empowering students and young people. I want to see it expand, grow bigger and stronger, and attract more young people who will become interested in what NAIS has to offer and what they can learn from the association.
As a young woman in leadership, what message do you have for other girls, especially in Illah, who may aspire to lead?
One message I would love to pass to other girls who aspire to lead one day is to believe in themselves. You can’t do anything if you don’t believe in yourself. Even if other people believe in you, you must first believe in yourself to be able to achieve whatever you want.
So believe in yourself and never underestimate your potential, because you can do anything you set your mind to do. Leadership is not about gender roles; it is about courage, vision, the vision you have in mind, and the willingness to serve. That is what truly matters.
Yes, that’s it. You can do it. You can achieve anything you set your mind to do.
Outside student leadership, who is Ifeoma Njoagwani? What are your hobbies and interests?
Outside of being a student leader, I love being creative, especially on stage, because of what I studied. I didn’t just study theatre arts; I studied what I truly love. I enjoy travelling and reading, and I also love scripting, particularly writing movie scripts. It was something I really enjoyed doing when I was still in school. But my favourite of all is being on stage and interpreting real-life experiences through performance.
What field are you studying, and how does it connect with your long-term career goals?
I studied Theatre Arts and Film Studies. I just graduated barely a week ago, last weekend. Studying this course has helped me develop many skills such as good communication, creativity, and, most importantly, confidence. These skills are very valuable in leadership and public engagement. I hope that one day I will fully practise what I studied because I truly love theatre arts, and that is why I chose to study it.
Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? Do you see yourself going into politics, advocacy, or public service in the future?
In the next 10 years, I see myself making meaningful contributions in areas such as communication, advocacy, and community development. But most importantly, I see myself out there making good movies that showcase what is happening around the world. Yes, interpreting good scripts and, you know, travelling the world, maybe.
As for politics, I don’t really see myself going into politics for now. I love leadership, and I enjoy being a leader, but politics is different. I don’t think I have the energy for that. So no, I don’t see myself going into politics.
Finally, what legacy would you like to leave behind as President of the National Association of Illah Students?
As the first female president of NAIS, I would like to be remembered as a leader who strengthened the association, empowered students, and created initiatives that positively impacted younger generations. Not just the youth in general, but with special intentions for young girls as well. I would love to serve as a strong blueprint for them to follow.
