What happens when a young person decides that their age should never be a reason to stay silent?
For Zahra Ahmed Ajetunmobi, the answer has been simple: she speaks, she learns, she creates, and most importantly, she uses her voice to inspire others.
Currently 15, Zahra is a Nigerian SDG advocate, author, public speaker and sustainability advocate whose work has taken her from conversations around education and reading to some of the world's most important platforms for climate action, sustainability, gender equality and youth leadership.
Known popularly as Zahralicious, Zahra has built a growing identity around using education and advocacy to encourage young people to become more informed, confident and involved in shaping the world around them.
One of the clearest examples of this is the Zahralicious Book Club, a community created to encourage young people to read, learn and have meaningful conversations. The platform brings young learners together to discuss books, sustainability, morals, values and personal development. According to her platform, its mission is to build a community of lifelong learners, encourage positive thinking and communication, and develop research skills among young learners.
The book club has grown beyond a traditional reading group. It has brought together young people from different countries and created a space where children can exchange ideas while developing their confidence and knowledge. More recently, it has been reported to have participants from 47 countries, reflecting the international reach of Zahra's work.
But reading is only one part of her story.
Zahra has also become a familiar voice in conversations around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and education. She has spoken at major international platforms, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, where she advocated for a safer, greener and more sustainable future.
Her advocacy has also taken her to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, where her message around personal growth and gender equality was highlighted by UN Women. Her statement, “A better you means a better world and a better world means a better you,” was shared by UN Women during CSW69.
Zahra has continued to participate in conversations at the highest international level. At the 80th United Nations General Assembly, she engaged with Nigeria's Director-General of the Energy Commission, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, in discussions around Nigeria's energy landscape and the country's transition towards clean and renewable energy.
Her growing influence in sustainability was further recognised in 2025 when she was appointed Pavegen's first Global Youth Ambassador. In the role, she represents Pavegen internationally and contributes to educational and outreach initiatives focused on youth engagement, sustainability, innovation and clean energy.
She has also been recognised for her contribution to sustainability, receiving the Future Sustainability Leader Award, while continuing to build her profile as a speaker and advocate.
Beyond sustainability, Zahra has developed a strong interest in public speaking and youth leadership. She is recognised as a TEDx speaker, and her speaking journey has allowed her to address audiences on subjects including education, sustainability, leadership and the Sustainable Development Goals. She is also represented by the New Voices Speaker Agency as a sustainability advocate and speaker.
Her work has not gone unnoticed outside the international development space either. Zahra has been recognised in Nigeria as one of the young voices contributing to conversations around education, sustainability and youth development. In 2026, she was featured among the 30 Muslim Women of Substance recognised by Muslim News Nigeria for her work as a young SDG advocate.
She is also an author, with her book The Journey So Far, which reflects the story and experiences behind her growing journey. Alongside this, she has been involved in digital learning initiatives through Fiqra Academy and has created a parental community through Zahralicious.com.
What makes Zahra's story stand out is not simply the number of platforms she has appeared on or the titles attached to her name.
It is the consistency of the message behind her work.
Education matters.
Young people matter.
Sustainability matters.
And young people should not have to wait until they are older before they are allowed to contribute to conversations that affect their future.
That belief has shaped much of Zahra's journey. From building a book club to speaking about climate action, from engaging with global institutions to becoming a youth ambassador for a sustainability company, she continues to demonstrate what can happen when young people are given the confidence and opportunity to use their voices.
Her story is also a reminder that impact does not always begin with a huge organisation or a massive platform. Sometimes, it begins with something as simple as deciding to share what you have learned with someone else.
Zahra Ahmed Ajetunmobi is still young, and her journey is still unfolding. There are undoubtedly more chapters to come.
But already, she has shown that being young does not mean being insignificant.
Sometimes, the boldest voices in the room are the ones we least expect.
And Zahra is certainly one of them.
© 2026 Aliu Azeema | talkafricang.com
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