The Alice Ajisafe Foundation successfully hosted the first edition of its monthly webinar series, Finding Yourself: Navigating Identity, Growth and Purpose as a Young Adult, bringing together young adults, students, early-career professionals, and youth leaders for an insightful conversation on self-discovery and personal development.
Held virtually on May 29, 2026, the webinar featured social worker, educator, author, and Co-Founder of Adapted Nest Initiative, Joy Daniel, who shared practical insights on navigating the often-challenging journey of identity formation, growth, and purpose in today’s world.
The webinar, which marks the beginning of a recurring knowledge-sharing platform by the Foundation, was designed to create a safe space where young people can openly explore questions around identity, personal growth, purpose, societal expectations and the realities of navigating adulthood in today’s rapidly changing world.
Speaking during the session, moderator Olaoluwa Adeleye emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for meaningful conversations that encourage reflection and self-awareness among young people. According to him, many young adults today are dealing with multiple pressures ranging from career expectations and family responsibilities to social media comparisons and economic uncertainties. These realities, he said often leave young people questioning their direction, purpose, and sense of self.
Drawing from both personal experiences and professional insights, Daniel challenged the notion that people eventually arrive at a fixed destination where they have completely figured out life. She explained that discovering oneself is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that evolves throughout life.
“Finding yourself is a journey that never truly ends,” she noted. “At every stage of life, there are new questions to answer, new lessons to learn, and new dimensions of yourself to discover.”
A central theme of her presentation was identity. She encouraged participants to develop a strong understanding of who they are beyond external validation, societal expectations and the often-distorted realities presented on social media platforms.
In a digital age where trends, opinions, and lifestyles can heavily influence perceptions, Daniel stressed the importance of remaining grounded in one’s values and personal convictions.
“If you do not know who you are, the world will constantly attempt to define you,” she explained. “Identity gives you a foundation. It helps you remain steady even when everything around you seems uncertain.”
The discussion also explored the growing culture of comparison among young people, particularly in the age of social media where achievements are constantly displayed and success is often measured against the accomplishments of others.
Sharing her own experiences, Daniel recounted moments when she felt left behind after seeing peers achieve significant milestones in their careers and personal lives. However, she explained that those experiences ultimately taught her an important lesson about growth.
She encouraged participants to resist the temptation to compare their journeys with those of others and instead focus on their own progress and unique paths.
“Everyone has a different race to run,” she said. “The fact that someone else’s journey looks different from yours does not mean you are failing. Growth happens at different speeds and in different ways for different people.”
She also reflected on the pressures young people place on themselves in pursuit of success. Daniel cautioned against equating growth with busyness or attempting to excel in too many areas simultaneously. Instead, she encouraged intentionality, consistency, and focus.
According to her, genuine growth comes from identifying one’s strengths, committing to continuous improvement, and remaining dedicated to a chosen path rather than constantly chasing every available opportunity.
The conversation also touched on purpose, as participants were challenged to think beyond financial success and consider the broader impact they wish to make through their lives, careers, and relationships.
Daniel acknowledged that discovering purpose can be difficult, particularly in environments where economic realities often demand immediate survival. Nevertheless, she encouraged young people to continue seeking clarity through learning, service, self-reflection, and personal development.
For many attendees, the session served as a timely reminder that uncertainty is not failure and that personal growth is not a competition.
Speaking after the event, Aina Omotola, the programmes manager of the Alice Ajisafe Foundation reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people through educational opportunities, mentorship, leadership development and platforms that encourage meaningful dialogue.
The Foundation noted that the Monthly Webinar Series forms part of its broader mission to nurture confident, purpose-driven, and socially conscious young people who are equipped to contribute positively to their communities and society.
As the inaugural edition of the series, the conversation sets the tone for future conversations that will continue to address the challenges, opportunities, and aspirations shaping the lives of young Nigerians today.
The Alice Ajisafe Foundation expressed appreciation to all participants, volunteers and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the event and encouraged young people to join future editions of the webinar series as the Foundation continues to create spaces for learning, reflection, and transformation.
