………..CJAN and NYCN leadership highlight rising impact of youth communicator and policy advocate
Ambassador Benjamin Adekunle Onileowo, the National Public Relations Officer of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, has marked his birthday with commendations from youth leaders and advocacy stakeholders across Nigeria.
Popularly known as “Aluta Total,” Onileowo is widely regarded as a fast-rising youth communicator and development advocate whose leadership journey has moved from grassroots student activism to national prominence within Nigeria’s youth governance structure.
Born in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, his early life was shaped by discipline, education, and community service values. He attended Glorify God Nursery and Primary School, followed by Federal Science and Technical College, Usi-Ekiti, before proceeding to the University of Abuja, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2023.
His leadership trajectory began in student unionism, where he consistently rose through various positions. In 2020, he served as National Public Relations Officer of the Ilawe-Ekiti Students’ Union and later became its National President in 2022. During his tenure, he introduced several impactful initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, education access, and community development.
Among his notable interventions were the Values Education Sensation Programme designed to address social vices among students, female student empowerment initiatives focused on menstrual hygiene and education access, and scholarship support schemes for indigent students. He also facilitated community infrastructure projects, including the renovation and electrification of student bus stops in Ilawe-Ekiti.
Onileowo’s influence expanded further through leadership roles in the National Association of University Students (NAUS) and later the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU), where he served as National President in 2024. His administration was marked by digital transformation initiatives, financial literacy programmes, leadership summits, and the expansion of union chapters across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Beyond student leadership, he has contributed to humanitarian service through Lions Club International, where he served in multiple leadership capacities within the Ekiti Unique Leo Club, including President in 2025. He also coordinated anti-drug abuse campaigns targeted at young people in Ekiti State.
His entry into the National Youth Council of Nigeria headquarters in May 2025 as National Social Secretary marked a significant step in his national leadership journey. In office, he facilitated strategic partnerships focused on youth employment, digital skills acquisition, and social welfare advancement.
These include collaborations aimed at training Nigerian youths in technology and artificial intelligence, addressing unemployment challenges, and supporting corps members’ welfare and housing concerns.
Reacting to his birthday, Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network (CJAN) described Onileowo as a forward-thinking youth leader whose contributions continue to shape national conversations on youth development and empowerment.
Ajayi Taiwo Adeola, Director of Youth Advocacy and Policy at the National Youth Council of Nigeria and Founder of CJAN, commended his leadership style, describing him as a results-oriented communicator.
“His collaboration with CJAN in addressing unemployment and housing challenges facing corps members reflects a practical and solution-driven leadership approach. He represents a new generation of leaders focused on impact, not rhetoric,” Ajayi said.
He further extended birthday wishes, noting that Onileowo’s leadership philosophy—anchored on engagement, education, and empowerment—aligns with the aspirations of Nigerian youths.
As he celebrates another year, stakeholders say his journey reflects the evolving role of young leaders in shaping policy dialogue, strengthening youth institutions, and driving national development.