Oluwaseye Adebeshin is a youth advocate, law student, and founder of the Future Crest Initiative. Growing up with poverty and limited education, he turned his experiences into action, helping young people gain skills and opportunities.
In this interview with Korede Badmus, PurpleWorld Corespondent, he talks about starting FCI, the challenges he faced, and why empowering youth matters for Africa’s future.
Can we meet you?
My name is Oluwaseye Adebeshin. I am a youth advocate, changemaker, and a law student of Olabisi Onabanjo University. My work focuses on empowering young people with the skills and opportunities they need to create sustainable futures for themselves and their communities. I currently lead the Future Crest Initiative, a youth-led organization dedicated to shaping young minds through education, skills training, and entrepreneurial support. My journey into advocacy is deeply personal, and every step I take is guided by the belief that potential exists everywhere, even in the most overlooked communities.
What drives you to dedicate your life to youth empowerment?
I am driven by the reality that so many young people have dreams far bigger than their circumstances. Growing up, I saw brilliant minds lose hope simply because no one believed in them, supported them or offered a platform to grow. That memory has stayed with me. Empowering young people is my way of ensuring that no one feels invisible or powerless. I want every young person to know that their background is not a barrier, but a beginning, and that they can achieve anything.
How did witnessing poverty and limited education shape your mission?
Growing up in an underserved community showed me exactly what poverty looks like, not from afar, but up close. When we moved to Olorunda, I saw children and families struggle daily. Going to school was a challenge because of distance and cost. I knew what it meant to walk long distances just to access basic education, and I watched too many peers drop out because their families couldn’t afford books or uniforms. These experiences didn’t make me bitter; they made me determined. They taught me that real change must come from those who have lived it, which is why my mission focuses on breaking cycles and opening doors.
Why did you choose to focus on SDG 1 and SDG 4 specifically?
People often ask me this because of my law studies. SDG 1 and SDG 4 are not just global goals; they mirror my personal journey. I’ve experienced poverty firsthand, and I’ve seen how education can change someone’s life trajectory. Poverty and limited education perpetuate injustice. These goals capture everything I stand for: lifting people out of poverty while equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to build a sustainable future. They reflect my truth.
What has been your most difficult decision as a changemaker?
One of the hardest decisions was starting the Future Crest Initiative. I had no platform to address the issues affecting my community. I applied to several organizations for leadership roles and was turned down. My desire to solve these problems burned brightly, but I had no financial resources; only passion. I decided to start anyway, even when I didn’t feel “ready.” When you’re young and resources are limited, the fear of public failure is real. But waiting would have delayed impact. So I started small, worked with what I had, and let the mission grow organically. That decision changed everything.
How do you ensure that your programs translate into lasting change?
Lasting change doesn’t come from one-day events; it comes from continuous engagement and support. That’s why our programs extend beyond events. We follow up with participants, track their progress, and provide platforms like the FCI hub, where they can ask questions and get guidance. Our goal is not to impress with flashy programs, but to transform lives through consistency and commitment.
What role does leadership play in transforming communities?
Leadership is the spark that ignites change. When a community has a leader who understands their struggles and leads with empathy, transformation becomes possible. Leadership is not about titles; it’s about responsibility. It’s about standing in the gap, mobilizing others, and creating hope where despair once existed.
How do you balance your academic ambitions in law with your social impact work?
Balancing my academics with social impact work has not easy. I rely on my team and volunteers to make the work easier. I multitask, prioritize, and maintain discipline. I also manage my business, switching between roles; student, volunteer, leader, and realtor. Staying focused on what matters in each moment is how I make it work.
Which failures have taught you the most about making change?
Some of my biggest lessons came from failure. We’ve planned programs we couldn’t implement due to financial constraints. Expected 100 participants, but only 15 or 30 showed up. Sponsorships and partnerships sometimes fell through at the last minute. These setbacks taught me resilience, patience, and the value of steady growth. Failure humbles you, sharpens focus, and prepares you for the bigger challenges.
How do you inspire young people to believe in their own potential?
I speak from experience, not perfection. I share my story, the challenges, setbacks, and nights I wanted to give up. When young people see that I’ve faced similar struggles, they begin to believe their dreams are valid and achievable. Inspiration often comes from knowing someone else has walked the same road.
Why did you start the Future Crest Initiative?
I started FCI because I wanted to give young people the platform I never had, a place where they could be heard, guided, and supported. I wanted to create something bigger than myself, where no one feels that their background or circumstances define what they can achieve. My goal has always been to help young people discover their potential and build a future they can be proud of.
What problem did you want FCI to solve when you created it?
FCI was created to address the root causes of poverty, primarily the lack of access to education, mentorship, guidance, and opportunities. Poverty isn’t just about money; it’s about having the right skills, the right opportunities, and the knowledge to make the most of them. Many young people might have ideas but not the resources to make it a reality, or they might have income but not the knowledge to manage it effectively. That’s where FCI comes in. Through education, financial literacy, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship programs, we equip young people with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to overcome barriers, pursue their dreams, and build a sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
FCI has impacted over 1,000 young people—how did you achieve that so quickly?
We focused on what young people actually need, not what looks good on paper. People criticized our idea, saying poverty is generational and can’t be solved by one small organization. But we didn’t let that stop us. We offered practical programs in financial literacy, skills training, and entrepreneurship. We leveraged partnerships and reached the youth directly. When your mission is genuine, people naturally connect with it.
What challenges did you face when starting FCI, and how did you overcome them?
Starting FCI came with no funding, no sponsors, and a limited network. I sometimes doubted my knowledge and capability. I overcame these by starting small, staying consistent, and relying on my board members and volunteers. I invested my own time and resources and refused to give up, even when progress felt painfully slow.
How do you measure the real impact of your initiatives?
We measure impact through growth stories. When someone starts a small business, returns to school, or changes their mindset because of our programs, that is true impact. We also track feedback, mentorship outcomes, and follow-ups to ensure continuous improvement.
Can you share a success story that inspires you?
One story that continues to inspire my journey is that of a young girl who attended our Financial Literacy and Skills Acquisition Outreach at Methodist Comprehensive High School. She came to the program shy and unsure of her abilities, with no confidence to start anything on her own. Through the sessions, she learned practical skills, financial management, and received a mini-grant to kickstart her idea. A few months later, she reached out to share that she had started her own small business and was now generating income to support herself through school. Seeing her transformation reminded me why I started this work, it’s proof that giving young people the right tools and opportunities can create real, lasting change.
What legacy do you want to leave through FCI?
I want my legacy to be a generation that no longer doubts what they carry inside them. I want FCI to stand as proof that someone believed in African youth before the world finally opened its eyes. If years from now young people can say, “I became who I am because someone created a door for me,” then that will be the impact that outlives me.
If you could change one systemic barrier in Africa today, what would it be?
If I could change one major barrier in Africa, it would be the structural systems that limit young people’s potential. We need to break the outdated Educational Supply Chain that still trains young people for jobs that no longer exist, challenge the Financial Gatekeepers that make access to capital almost impossible, and open up the Governance Pipeline that keeps youth far from decision-making. When these systems are fixed, we won’t just empower young people, we will unlock Africa’s future.
How do you stay motivated when impact feels slow?
I stay motivated by remembering why I started. Seeing young people’s lives change, even one at a time, reminds me that progress is happening, even if it is quiet. Impact often grows behind the scenes before it becomes visible.
How do you ensure your programs meet real needs?
We make it a priority to listen to young people and understand the challenges they face. We ask questions, engage with communities, pay attention to current trends, and even learn from critics. All these insights guide our decisions and help us create solutions that genuinely meet their needs.
How do you see Africa’s youth shaping the continent in the next decade?
Honestly, Africa’s youth are going to shape this continent in a very powerful way. I see young people turning their ideas into real solutions, whether it’s tech innovations, new businesses, or community projects. They’re questioning old systems that no longer work and replacing them with smarter, modern approaches. And the truth is, with the right support, this generation won’t just influence Africa’s future, they’re going to redefine it completely.
If you could speak to policymakers about youth development, what would you demand?
I would urge policymakers to stop designing policies for young people without involving us in the process. We need real investment in education, skill development, digital access, youth employment, and safe learning environments. If they truly want change, it must show in the budget, in the policies they pass, and in the actions they take, not just in speeches.