Name: Faith Nwaobia

Title: Founder & President

Organisation: YouthUp Global

Dr Faith Nwaobia is a man who is on a mission from God to empower millions of youths in his lifetime.

He started his career as a Commercial Banking Relationship Manager with Union Bank of Nigeria PLC after job hunting for 6 years, an experience that will later Influence his path.

Dr. Faith is a seasoned economist with interest in Labour Economics, Economics of Education and Development Economics.

He has worked with International organizations prior to founding Youthup Global, including Marleq International as the Country Manager and later the Head of Content Strategy, IS-3 and IM2D as the International, USA, and their Nigerian Business Development Director.

In March 2020, the drive to create a single platform that connects and empowers the youths in developing countries primarily to fight youth unemployment, led him to start YouthUp Global.

A youth-based social enterprise in the business of addressing youth unemployment in developing countries through human capital development, focusing on education and entrepreneurship and fostering collaborative projects towards achieving the 17 SDGs of the United Nations with impact coverage in over 40 African countries and 18 Asian countries.

Through the Youthup Global impact and for sustainability, Dr. Faith founded Utidia; a talent development edtech for in-demand practical skills through apprenticeship, internship and mentorship programs as well as a growth marketplace for professionals and businesses with focus in emerging markets. He has recently founded Utidia Apprenticeship Institute, a subsidiary of Utidia with a goal of raising 1 million talents (apprentices) by 2030.

Dr Faith has held several leadership positions in the global space to mention but a few.

He is an Ambassador with the Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club

CEC-SME Economic Forum London (CEC 2030 Vision).

He a Research Consultant with the International Labour Organization focusing on Skills Development, Employment, Labour Market Frictions, Human Capital Development and the Future of Work Research.

Dr. Faith is a strong advocate for youth inclusion and human capital development under his YOUTHCONOMICS theory (The Economics of Youths) as a means of achieving a sustainable socio-economic development of Africa in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 towards achieving the Africa we want.

Dr. Faith wears the hat of a PanAfricanist, an advocate, an impact speaker, having being featured with notable global thought leaders, sharing stage with the likes of Prof. PLO LUMUMBA who is widely regarded as the IROKO of Africa.

Dr. Faith sits on different boards of startups offering business advisory.

There are many awards in recognition of his contributions to humanity, notably the Honorary Doctorate Degree from Global Oved University, USA.

Dr. Faith is married with 3 amazing children, a Pastor and a community builder.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Faith's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Working with different generation and having to manage the Intergenerational team while building a fulfilling workplace experience and culture.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My leadership journey started way back in secondary school as a boy scout when I found myself having to lead my unit as a Scout Master helping the district head to coordinate activities and encourage other members to accomplish their task. Later when I got into the university, I served as a class representative, leading a class of over 1000 students to managing administrative needs for various Lecturers for 4 years. That was when I knew I had it in me to lead.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I usually wake up 5am to do my workout and end it by 6am. So by 7am I am ready for the day job... and in between the day I can take a nap and then continue working as I work from home.

Sleeping for me happens between 9pm and 11pm.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

That leadership is all about influence and that what inspires one person may not inspire another. So you have to constantly work on customizing your approach to your influence your team members.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The Power of Vision by Dr. Myles Munroe. This is a book that made me understand the deep root and the place of vision for anyone wanting to live a purposeful life.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Never set a standard you cannot meet. Lead by example. Convince your team by what you do not just your words because words are cheap.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

It was when I led my team to launch a project in 2021 called Innovate Africa 1.0; a collaborative project that is geared towards addressing the problem of youth unemployment in Africa. How I was able to mobilize my team to work together in making that project a success. That's was the first time I could say...Yes, I have mastered the influential leadership qualities and transformative leadership. Everybody was ready and committed to delivering the project.