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Founder of an initiative, ‘The Camera Is Me (TCIM)’, Joseph Adeleke has said the project has trained over 1000 secondary school students in high demand vocational and creative skills, equipping them for future entrepreneurship and employment.
He noted that the initiative has emerged as a cornerstone for youth transformation in Nigeria, evolving from a local project into a robust initiative bridging the gap between formal education and real-world impact.
Since 2018, TCIM has developed into a youth-focused initiative working across schools and communities in Nigeria, with an emphasis on education, personal development, and practical skill acquisition. Its approach reflects an ongoing shift from classroom-based learning to broader community development, where young people are encouraged to apply knowledge, build confidence, and engage with real-life opportunities.
Within the classroom, TCIM’s influence is visible through its educational materials, which are currently in use in over five partner secondary schools in Lagos State. These resources are designed to support comprehension, critical thinking, and self-awareness among students. Beyond Lagos, the materials have also gained recognition and are recommended for use in schools across Ogun State, indicating a growing level of institutional acceptance.
Outside the classroom, the initiative has focused on experiential learning and youth engagement. Its annual leadership conference has, over the years, reached more than 5,000 teenagers across Nigeria. These gatherings provide structured environments where participants are exposed to discussions around identity, leadership, and personal growth, often encouraging them to rethink their perspectives and aspirations.
TCIM has also addressed the gap between theoretical education and practical application through its skills development programs. To date, over 1,000 secondary school students have received hands-on training in vocational and creative skills. These programs are aimed at improving adaptability, encouraging innovation, and equipping participants with competencies that may support future employment or entrepreneurship.
Beyond direct engagement, the initiative’s work has extended into the public space through features on television and digital media platforms, contributing to wider conversations about youth development and education in Nigeria.
At the centre of this work is Joseph Adeleke, whose leadership has shaped the direction and continuity of the initiative. His efforts have focused on creating systems that connect learning within schools to opportunities within communities, while maintaining a consistent emphasis on identity and self-perception among young people.
Over time, The Camera Is Me has demonstrated how targeted interventions—when sustained—can influence both individual growth and community development. While its reach continues to expand, the broader context remains one where many young people still face limited access to such opportunities, highlighting the ongoing need for similar models across the country.
By linking classroom experiences with community-based outcomes, TCIM contributes to a growing movement that sees education not only as academic instruction, but as a foundation for wider social and personal development.
