Nassiratou Ali Djibo

Where Nassiratou is from in Niger, there is a diverse mix of cultures and traditions, with most people speaking three to four or more languages. In her home community, there are many traditional events that gather people together to strengthen bonds. One of her favorites is a naming ceremony, where the community comes together when a newborn is given its name.

Nassiratou believes in the unlimited potential of youth and is passionate about solving economic problems through empowering youth. In 2021, she founded the Matassa Project, an organization that supports youth in coming up with solutions to challenges that exist within their community. So far, Matassa has engaged more than 100 youth in volunteering, increasing their leadership and initiating projects to impact their communities. One youth-initiated project aimed to improve the success rate of students passing national exams by creating a website full of free resources. As a Scholar Nassiratou is, “most excited to grow and learn from other passionate people who want to make change in their community while employing what I learn to make innovative changes in my own community.”