Young people in Nigeria are brimming with talent, but according to Giddy2School Founder Itunuoluwa Bamidele, they face the paradox of restricted access to education and economic opportunities. Giddy2School is working to close that gap by building a generation of empowered leaders, equipped with the essential skills needed to thrive.
This mission was further strengthened through Giddy2School’s recent participation in the Global Impact Fellowship, a 12-week programme developed by the Skills Builder Partnership. According to Itunuolua, the experience was a transformative step in aligning the organisation’s education strategy with a globally recognised Universal Framework for essential skill development.
“The Global Impact Fellowship came at the right time when I was looking to develop a curriculum.”
Itunuoluwa Bamidele, Founder and Executive Director, Giddy2School Nigeria
Refining Purpose Through Structure
The Global Impact Fellowship focuses on eight essential skills- Speaking, Listening, Creativity, Problem Solving, Planning, Adaptability, Leadership and Teamwork- anchored in the Skills Builder Universal Framework. The structure of the Universal Framework was key to helping Giddy2School translate its vision into more scalable and measurable impact.
“It gave birth to the impact we are set to make through the three modules we created using the Universal Framework.”
Itunuoluwa Bamidele, Founder and Executive Director, Giddy2School Nigeria
With a deep understanding of the importance of the essential skills, the three modules- Leadership, Effective Communication, and Creativity- were added to Giddy2School’s flagship Disruptive Education Curriculum. These additions reinforce the organisation’s holistic approach to education, combining academic knowledge with professional development and essential skill development.
A Fellowship That Builds, Connects, and Challenges
The Skills Builder Global Impact Fellowship empowers international NGOs to systematically build essential skills into their work and join a global movement dedicated to skills-based impact. For the Giddy2School team, the Fellowship’s hands-on, immersive approach- rooted in the shared language of the Universal Framework- was especially powerful. A strong focus on real-world application over theory made the learning immediately relevant. Learning alongside peers from other countries helped broaden perspectives and contextualise Giddy2School’s work within a global movement for education reform and skills-based empowerment.
After engaging with the Global Impact Fellowship, Skills Builder Partnership are proud to accredit the Giddy2School Global Leadership Fellowship at Impact Level 4. Programmes that are successful here combine the chance for individuals to reflect on their essential skills before and after applying them, with content specifically targeted on steps of progress.
“The Global Impact Fellowship is a place to design real solutions to real problems.”
Itunuoluwa Bamidele, Founder and Executive Director, Giddy2School Nigeria
What’s Next: Launching Giddy2School’s Own Fellowship
The momentum generated through the Global Impact Fellowship is now feeding directly into the next phase of Giddy2School’s journey: its own Global Leadership and Innovation Fellowship.This 12-week programme for youth aged 16-29 combines online learning with community projects, integrating reflection, mentorship, and essential skills development for ongoing growth.
Giddy2School’s experience with Skills Builder Partnership was not just about refining curriculum, it was about building capacity, credibility, and confidence.
As Giddy2School looks ahead to its goal of impacting 1 million youth by 2030, the Global Impact Fellowship stands as a testament to what’s possible when passion meets structure.
“To everyone who wants to try something innovative, tending to the pressing challenges of the 21st century... the Global Impact Fellowship is your next stop”
Itunuoluwa Bamidele, Founder and Executive Director, Giddy2School Nigeria
Find out more about the Global Impact Fellowship here.
