Life Clubs Programme: Transforming Vulnerable Lives in Nigeria

"The Life Clubs Programme in Kaduna is the first African adaptation of Life Challenge Academy’s global Life Clubs initiative."

Children in Nigeria face numerous challenges, from the impacts of conflict and economic hardship to the dangers of substance abuse, exploitation, and violence. These adversities undermine their right to education, care, and protection, often leaving them vulnerable and disconnected.

In response, Life Challenge Nigeria (LCN) launched the Life Clubs Programme in 2022, a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing child vulnerability through evidence-based mentorship and community-driven solutions. Guided by the four foundational pillars of Love, Identity, Faithfulness, and Excellence (LIFE), the programme has directly impacted 1,060 children and indirectly benefited 5,600 individuals across Kaduna State.

Nurturing Holistic Child Development:

Life Clubs takes a holistic approach to child development, emphasising five key dimensions: physical well-being, emotional resilience, social connections, intellectual growth, and spiritual development. By promoting safety, health, emotional intelligence, positive relationships, cognitive skills, and moral values, Life Clubs provides an environment where children flourish and grow into well-rounded individuals.

The Journey of Life Clubs in Nigeria 

The Life Clubs Programme in Kaduna is the first African adaptation of Life Challenge Academy’s global Life Clubs initiative. It emerged from LCN’s 2022 Child Situation Assessment and Analysis, conducted to develop a solution tailored to the challenges faced by children in Nigeria, with Kaduna State as the pilot location.

Building on the success of previous child-focused projects such as the Child Sexual Abuse and Welfare Programme (2014) and the CASCADE Project (2022), LCN created a mentoring model suited to the Nigerian context. Despite limited precedents, the programme quickly gained traction, becoming a lifeline for vulnerable children and their families.

Within just two years, Life Clubs has expanded to include 73 trained facilitators across 14 clubs, operating in schools, churches, orphanages, and vulnerable communities. The second edition of the Life Clubs Conference, held in Kaduna on 25 October 2024, attracted over 500 children and 70 facilitators, showcasing the initiative’s far-reaching impact.

At the heart of Life Clubs is its focus on building strength and positive values among children. The programme operates on four core pillars:

1. Love – Children are taught to love unconditionally, fostering a sense of security and connection.

2. Identity – Helping children recognise their potential and develop confidence.

3. Faithfulness – Instilling integrity and consistency in relationships and decision-making.

4. Excellence – Encouraging children to strive for their best in all areas of life.

The Life curriculum integrates biblical teachings, motivational stories, memory verses, puzzles, and life applications to engage children at their developmental level. Developed and donated by Life Challenge Academy, the curriculum provides both children and facilitators with a structured approach to mentorship and club activities.

Facilitators, trained in psychosocial support and equipped with tools such as the Life Impact Assessment tool (LIA) and Mentorship Vulnerability Index tool (MVI), ensure data-driven and adaptive interventions tailored to each child’s needs.

Tangible Impact and Achievements

The Life Clubs Programme is transforming lives:

Recent Life Impact Assessments revealed that among participating children:

89% of participants demonstrated increased strength, effectively managing challenges like bullying, peer pressure, and family dysfunction.

78% gained life skills, empowering them to make informed choices.

85% exhibited positive behavioural changes, improving their academic engagement and relationships.

To support these efforts, LCN, with the backing of Life Challenge Academy, has distributed over 1,500 Life Curriculum for Children Activity Books and 400 Teacher’s Guides, ensuring facilitators and children have access to quality resources.

Celebrating Milestones

To celebrate its achievements and inspire continued progress, LCN recently hosted the third annual “An Evening with Life Challenge” on 7 December 2024. The event celebrated the programme’s successes, shared stories of transformation, and strengthened community engagement. It also served as a call to action for greater involvement from stakeholders in scaling the initiative to underserved regions.

Challenges and Opportunities

Scaling the Life Clubs Programme requires addressing significant challenges, including:

Securing resources for expansion.

Sustaining quality mentorship as the programme grows.

Strengthening partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations.

Despite these challenges, the programme’s adaptability and alignment with global best practices in child welfare and substance abuse prevention position it for national and international recognition.

The Vision for 2025

Life Challenge Nigeria envisions Life Clubs in every Nigerian community, creating safe spaces where children can thrive. Achieving this vision demands collective action from parents, educators, religious leaders, policymakers, and the private sector.

By utilising ongoing research, data-driven strategies, and strong partnerships, LCN aims to refine its approach and maximise its impact. Together, Life Clubs and its supporters are safeguarding Nigeria’s future by nurturing resilient, compassionate leaders equipped to transform their communities.

A facilitator has this to say:

“In Life Clubs, we show children that they are loved without conditions. This love creates an environment where they feel safe, heard, and valued. I’ve seen children blossom once they realise that love forms the foundation of everything we do here. It is incredible to witness their transformation.”

A Child’s Testimonial

“When I first joined Life Clubs, I felt invisible and insignificant. But now, I know I am loved, and I am important. The love I receive here has given me the strength to believe in myself. I’m becoming a better person because of it.”

— Deborah, 10, Life Clubs Participant

A Call to Action

As Life Clubs Programme continues to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children across Nigeria, there is an urgent need for continued support and collaboration. Together, we can ensure that more children experience the transformative power of love, identity, faithfulness, and excellence. By joining forces with Life Challenge Nigeria, whether through partnerships, donations, or volunteering, we can expand this vital initiative, reaching every corner of Nigeria and beyond. Let us stand united in empowering the next generation of strong leaders who will shape a more hopeful and prosperous future for our communities.

About the man behind Life Challenge Nigeria, LCN

Ejikeme McBishops Ogueji is a globally recognised Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Professional, as well as the Executive Director of Life Challenge Nigeria and the Africa Director of Life Challenge Academy. A passionate advocate for youth development, he has dedicated his career to creating evidence-based, transformative programmes that empower vulnerable populations across Nigeria and beyond.