Powerful storytelling lies at the heart of successful policy advocacy. This belief, supported by the HumAngle Foundation, inspired me to organise a workshop where advocates could learn to transform complex policy documents into compelling narratives that inspire action. Drawing on the lessons from the HumAngle’s Technology and Civic Impact Fellowship and the expertise of my mentor, Shade Mary-Ann Olaoye and fellow development practitioners as facilitators (Rafiat Atanda, Yazeed Umar, and Msen Nabo), we trained young advocates to turn data into stories that drive meaningful change and influence policy in their communities.
After a three-week call for applications, I received an impressive number of 472 applications. My next challenge was to narrow it down to between 10 and 15 participants. Here are 4 major reflections from leading this workshop:
1. Gender Representation in Applications
The first thing reviewing the essays did was cure an age-old curiosity. I used to wonder why some applications emphasised that women were encouraged to apply. The data provided a clear answer – only one-third of applicants identified as female, highlighting why such explicit encouragement remains necessary in achieving more balanced representation. It perhaps also reflects the deeper systemic issues in how different genders approach opportunities.
2. The Proliferation of AI-Generated Applications
I also noticed that most of the responses were “ChatGPT-fied”, lacking concrete details, while very few were overqualified. The majority of submissions fell below the intended standard. AI detectors like ZeroGPT can gauge the likelihood that text was generated by AI, though they struggle to do so with shorter essays below 150 words. We set a 300-word limit specifically for this reason. Reviewing these submissions was somewhat funny and emotional. Initially, I was relieved that AI-generated essays were easy to identify, but I soon felt disheartened by the overall quality of submissions received. Having been awarded significant opportunities by crafting good essays, I know firsthand that achieving success in the developmental space often requires the ability to write essays well. Essay-writing is a critical skill that can unlock significant professional opportunities. A compelling essay weaves together several key elements: a clear timeline that shows progression, authentic motivation that reveals drive and purpose, credible evidence that validates capabilities, and explicit connections to personal growth. The timeline demonstrates how experiences build upon each other, while genuine motivation helps reviewers understand the ‘why’ behind your journey. Supporting these elements with concrete evidence and achievements adds credibility while linking experiences to personal development shows self-awareness and learning capacity. While Generative AI can be a valuable tool for generating ideas and correcting grammatical errors, in my opinion, it should not replace the authenticity that comes from sharing one’s personal journey in an essay.
3. The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our next task was to select strong applications while maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion. As Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, said, “A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.” With the guidance of my mentor, we finalised a group of 13 participants who not only represented different regions but were actively working on policies to improve the lives of young people in Nigeria.
4. Limitations of Virtual Workshops
While the workshop had a significant impact, some participants noted areas for improvement, particularly around time management, a preference for an in-person format, and the provision of stipends. These observations reflect the unique challenges of virtual learning and underscore the potential value of hosting future workshops in person. A physical workshop would facilitate real-time interactions, more hands-on practice, and deeper engagement—a critical aspect when dealing with nuanced skills like storytelling for advocacy.
The participants’ feedback on how they plan to use the training illustrates the transformative potential of such a workshop. Here are some of them:
- Francisca Ifebuchechukwu Edeh shared, “The training will influence my ability to utilize Canva as a project management tool henceforth.”
- Michael Daramola highlighted a direct application, saying, “The training has been impactful and helped me to tell a better story. Implementing the audience engagement lesson, especially segmentation, I saw my Instagram followers increase by 81 in a week—an accomplishment that previously took six months.”
- Muhammad Muhammad emphasized how these skills allow him to better connect his work to the Sustainable Development Goals: “Blending visual storytelling with strategic engagement and policy advocacy, I can mobilize support and drive meaningful change in my community. My role at Turnup Jigawa positions me to be an effective advocate, and these tools enhance my work promoting education and community engagement.”
- Nedu Okorie expressed that the workshop’s focus on data-driven storytelling was particularly useful for solution journalism, where he could “identify societal problems and propose ways forward.”
- Mohammed Chiroma valued the video production segment, saying, “I can now confidently shoot a good video and use Capcut to edit effectively.”
- Aminatu Abubakar noted, “The workshop gave me practical tools for storytelling that I can integrate into my projects, especially to advocate for people with disabilities. I even created a flyer using Canva!”
Another valuable insight was around stakeholder engagement. We discussed how certain policy stakeholders, despite having high influence and significant interest, might choose not to act due to personal biases or preferences. Understanding these dynamics adds depth to our approach to advocacy, enabling us to better strategise around influential, but sometimes reluctant, stakeholders.
Running a virtual workshop brought unique challenges. Engagement dipped during practical sessions on Canva and Capcut, as it was difficult to assess where participants needed clarification. In the future, I would avoid scheduling sessions on Saturday mornings, humorously tagged as “market runs day” by one of the facilitators. Although we had checked participants’ availability in advance, attendance still dropped.
Facilitating this workshop has been a deeply enriching experience, teaching me valuable lessons about what it takes to plan, manage, and lead an impactful workshop. I am immensely grateful to everyone who guided the process and contributed their expertise. This workshop not only provided participants with actionable skills but also highlighted the power of a diverse, supportive network. I look forward to further refining and expanding this initiative, potentially in a physical format, to maximise its impact.
