A Heartfelt Goodbye to Our CEO, Molade Adeniyi: Celebrating Her Impact.

We are announcing an important leadership transition at WAVE. After nearly six years of dedicated service, our CEO, Molade Adeniyi, will be stepping down from her role to transition into a new position on our Board.

This move reflects our commitment to continuity and the long-term sustainability of WAVE’s mission. Molade has been instrumental in driving our organization’s growth and impact, and we are pleased that she will continue to provide strategic guidance in this new capacity.

Molade Adeniyi’s leadership has been transformative for WAVE, and her achievements during her tenure speak volumes:

• Youth Empowerment & Job Readiness: Under her guidance, WAVE empowered over 6,000 youth with critical skills, nearly doubling the number from the previous five years. This remarkable growth ensures that thousands more young people are now prepared for the workforce.
• Employment Success: A recent impact evaluation reveals that 75% of WAVE alumni are currently employed, demonstrating the effectiveness of WAVE’s programs in creating pathways to success.
• Teacher Upskilling: Molade spearheaded the training of over 300 vocational school teachers in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), improving the quality of education and training for future generations.

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• Geographic Expansion: WAVE expanded its footprint from 4 to 13 states across Nigeria, working closely with government stakeholders to broaden access to skills training and employment opportunities.
• Growth Partnerships: She onboarded four new growth partners, allowing WAVE to impact approximately 3,000 youth annually, with a total reach of 20,000 young people.
• Innovative Training Delivery: Molade introduced a WhatsApp-only class, transforming WAVE’s modules into AI-driven training sessions, making learning more accessible and engaging.
• Employer Training Platform: She launched WAVE’s first Learning Management System (LMS) for Hiring Managers and Employers, garnering nearly 500 users and a 4-star rating, promoting competency-based hiring practices.
• Significant Fundraising: Over the last six years, Molade secured nearly $5 million in grants and earned revenue from 13 new international and global partners—an 80% increase compared to the previous period.
• Strategic Funding Partnerships: She brought onboard 13 key funding partners, including Pan African Prize, CFYE, and Standard Chartered, enhancing the organization’s financial sustainability.

• Expanded Training Offerings: WAVE’s curriculum evolved from soft skills training to include technical skills, offering certifications in high-demand areas like Solar PV Installation, Customer Service, Call Center Operations, and IT, thereby increasing employability.
• Strategic Collaborations: Molade forged over 10 strategic partnerships with state governments and organizations such as WAPA, USAID, and NHEF to scale WAVE’s impact across Nigeria.
• Certification & Employment Success: She introduced WAVE’s first certification exam in collaboration with Zendesk for Customer Service Agents and Call Center Operators, achieving a 90% employment rate among certified participants.

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As we embark on the search for a new CEO who will build on this strong foundation, we are confident that WAVE will continue to flourish. During this interim period, the organization will be led by our experienced senior leadership team, consisting of Ifeanyi Perry, our Programs Lead, and Jande Tarfa, our Finance Lead.

They will ensure the continuity of our operations and maintain the momentum of our mission-driven work.

We look forward to continuing our journey, building on the remarkable legacy Molade has left behind and advancing WAVE’s mission to empower youth with the skills they need for the future.

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Shirley Somuah,

Board Chair.

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