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The Nwa Amaka Achebe Empowerment Foundation

The founding initiative of Achebe Trust. It works in Nigeria to open access to education, digital skills and mentoring.

It starts with her.

“My mum, the light of everyone around her. She will always be the queen.”

Tochii Achebe

The Foundation carries the Nwa Amaka Achebe name into its work: expanding access to education, digital skills, mentorship and practical opportunity for people of Nigerian descent.

Her storyTold by her son, Tochii

Who she was

My mother was a leader. That is how she has always been described to me: a mother figure, and the person everyone listened to.

She led her family in every aspect. Her older brothers and her younger brothers all respected her. When she was speaking, they would not speak. She commanded that much respect, within her family and among her friends.

She was very stylish, and she was forward thinking.

She is where I started from. Qaisha and I want this work to honour her, and everything here is meant to reflect her and her story.

  1. A woman in a teal headwrap and coral beads, smiling and looking to one side

    From the family album.

    Family photograph.

  2. Tochii’s mother, centre, in a brown suit, standing with family in Nigeria

    My mum, centre.

    Family photograph, first published on Tochii Achebe’s personal site.

  3. A woman in a red patterned dress beside a small boy in a waistcoat and bow tie, both smiling at a table

    From the family album.

    Family photograph.

  4. A bride in a white dress and veil holding a bouquet, standing beside a man in a dark suit

    From the family album.

    Family photograph.

  5. A woman in a green headwrap and white outfit seated beside a man in a grey jacket, both smiling

    From the family album.

    Family photograph.

My why

After graduating from university with a degree in Computer Science, I joined my family business. Although it was a valuable experience, I quickly felt stagnant and realized I needed to acquire new skills to thrive in the evolving job market.

At that time, my church, The Elevation Church Lekki, hosted a career fair that opened doors for me to meet industry experts in the tech field. Though I had a background in computer science, I soon realized I wasn’t fully equipped for the market. Fortunately, the church also offered free courses in Project Management and early career skill acquisition.

These courses were pivotal for me. Armed with new knowledge, I applied for a job, where I boldly asked not for a salary, but for the opportunity to learn and grow. That job marked the turning point in my career, and the rest, as they say, is history.

For me, this fund symbolizes two things: paying it forward and honoring my mother. Through it, I hope to help others find their own path to growth and success.

The workThree strands

To shine the light on African talent

That is the Foundation’s vision. It carries her example forward through education, digital skills, mentoring and opportunity, helping people take their lives into their own hands and backing those committed to lifting others as they rise.

  • Education

    Access to learning, through support towards approved schools and courses.

  • Digital skills

    Practical capability for a changing job market.

  • Mentoring

    Guidance from people further along, and doors opened.

ScholarshipsThe Foundation’s scholarship fund

Scholarships

Applications are closed

If you followed a link to apply, the application form on Tochii’s personal site has moved here and is closed for now. No application dates have been announced. When the next cohort is confirmed, the dates and how to apply will be published on this page.

Application status