Participants and facilitator photo session at the Let Girls Read, Run, Grow (LGRRG). Photo from (LGRRG)
In an alliance that bridges Wall Street, elite sports, and youth development, Nigerian Olympian Idara Otu and Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong have delivered a transformative program aimed at tackling Africa’s youth unemployment crisis.
Their partnership led to the successful delivery of Camp NexGen™ 2025, a three-day program that merged sports with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning.
Held on July 23, the camp reached 150 underserved Nigerian youth aged 13 to 15.
The initiative is powered by Let Girls Read, Run, Grow (LGRRG), a nonprofit founded by Otu and supported by the Troost-Ekong Foundation, demonstrating the strength of combining local leadership with global experience.
Otu, a former JP Morgan energy trader who represented Nigeria in track and field at the 2012 Olympics, launched LGRRG as a way to give back to her country of heritage after retiring from professional athletics.
“Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis is serious and demands real solutions,” said Otu.
“But there’s also an opportunity that most new jobs over the next 30 years will come from STEM fields. That’s why LGRRG created a curriculum that encourages youth to believe in themselves and aim high. I ask them, ‘Why not you?’ The world is theirs for the taking.”
At Camp NexGen, participants received more than just inspiration—they were immersed in action.
Each day, combine physical training with technology-based workshops.
On the sports side, Troost-Ekong, center-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Kholood and captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, led professional football sessions, instilling discipline, teamwork, and mental resilience.
“Camp NexGen isn’t just about science or sports,” Troost-Ekong said.
“It’s about showing young people that they belong—on the field, in the classroom, and anywhere they choose to go.”
Off the field, youth explored technology through hands-on projects.
Thanks to a partnership with Global Air University, campers built and flew drones and learned basic coding through Scratch programming, an accessible platform that introduces young minds to computational thinking and game design.
This balanced approach is designed to equip participants with both soft and technical skills, boosting their confidence and career prospects in equal measure.
A standout feature of this year’s camp was its strong focus on inclusivity.
Girls made up 60% of the participants, and 30% of the campers were orphaned youth.
For many of the girls, Camp NexGen™ was their first exposure to organized sports and tech education in a supportive environment.
To remove practical barriers to participation, LGRRG partnered with Bras for Girls, a U.S.-based nonprofit, to provide each female camper with her first sports bra, an often-overlooked need that can impact girls’ continued involvement in athletics.
Now in its fifth edition, Camp NexGen™ has already made its mark in several African cities.
Previous camps have taken place in Lagos (Nigeria), Harare (Zimbabwe), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and Accra (Ghana).
Each edition builds on the lessons of the last, refining a replicable model that combines mentorship, education, and sport to open doors for Africa’s youth.
Looking ahead, LGRRG plans to expand its impact even further.
The organization will soon break ground on a girls’ primary school in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, providing a permanent space for education and empowerment rooted in the same values as Camp NexGen.
About Let Girls Read, Run, Grow (LGRRG)
Let Girls Read, Run, Grow (LGRRG) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering African girls through education, athletics, and entrepreneurship.
Founded by Nigerian Olympian Idara Otu, the organization designs programs that give girls the tools and confidence to excel in classrooms, sports, and future careers.
Through initiatives like Camp NexGen™, LGRRG delivers hands-on learning and leadership training to underserved youth across Africa.
About the Troost-Ekong Foundation
The Troost-Ekong Foundation is a charitable organization founded by Nigerian footballer and national team captain William Troost-Ekong.
Dedicated to empowering youth through education, sports, and community development, the foundation creates pathways for underserved children to reach their full potential.
Through mentorship, access to training, and partnerships, the foundation helps young people build confidence, resilience, and future-ready skills both on and off the field.
About Bras for Girls
Bras for Girls is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that provides high-quality sports bras and educational resources about breast development to adolescent girls, particularly those in underserved communities.
By removing a key barrier to participation in physical activity, Bras for Girls supports girls’ confidence, comfort, and long-term engagement in sports.
The organization partners with schools, nonprofits, and youth programs globally to ensure that every girl has the support, literally and figuratively, she needs to thrive in athletics and beyond.
