By Benson Michael
Before the crown, before the stage lights and national applause, Somto Alexander Nnoruga was already knee-deep in a mission that had everything to do with people. Now crowned Mister Nigeria 2025, he’s using the spotlight to amplify a cause he’s been working on behind the scenes for months: The Build Together Project, a community-first initiative focused on safe, affordable housing through sustainable, collaborative efforts.
The project, born long before the fanfare of his recent win, tackles Nigeria’s housing crisis head-on. Structured in three connected phases, it begins with Voice of the People, an ongoing campaign that amplifies the stories of Nigerians, as they talk about overlooked housing conditions. Then comes Rebuild Together, a housing repair initiative that mobilizes local artisans and volunteers to restore dilapidated homes. Finally, Safe Haven partners with faith-based groups and NGOs to convert underused spaces into shelters for displaced persons, victims of abuse, or those caught in sudden eviction. It’s real, grassroots problem-solving, driven by community input and executed with intention.
Somto Nnoruga’s Build Together Project is positioning itself as one of the few youth-led housing initiatives with real legs. And now, with the weight of the Misters of Nigeria platform behind it, it’s likely to gain even more traction.