ICYE Nigeria

Organisation

ICYE Nigeria is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation committed to international voluntary service, intercultural learning, and youth development. Established in the early 1990s, ICYE Nigeria has been an active member of the ICYE Federation for over three decades, coordinating the sending and hosting of young volunteers within the global ICYE network.

The organisation works to promote peace, mutual understanding, social justice, and active citizenship by creating structured opportunities for young people to engage meaningfully with local communities. ICYE Nigeria operates in line with ICYE quality standards, ethical guidelines, and impact-oriented youth work practices.

Programme

ICYE Nigeria implements long-term and short-term international voluntary service programmes for young people aged 18–30. Volunteers are placed in community-based projects such as education, social services, community development, culture, and environmental initiatives.

The programme emphasises learning through service, intercultural exchange, reflection, and personal development. Volunteers receive preparation, ongoing support, mentoring, and evaluation, with increasing focus on impact measurement, skills recognition, inclusion, and decolonised approaches to international exchange. ICYE Nigeria works closely with host organisations to ensure meaningful placements and reciprocal learning.

About the country

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, characterised by cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. It has a young population, vibrant civil society, and strong traditions of community engagement and resilience.

Nigeria offers a rare combination of energy, creativity, and depth that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

It is a country where tradition and innovation coexist naturally. Ancient kingdoms, oral histories, and indigenous knowledge systems continue to shape daily life alongside fast-growing tech hubs, creative industries, and youth-led social movements. This constant interaction between past and present gives Nigeria a strong sense of identity and momentum.

Nigeria is also a cultural powerhouse. Its music, film, literature, fashion, and visual arts influence global trends, while local storytelling traditions remain deeply rooted in community life. Everyday social interaction is marked by warmth, humour, and a strong sense of solidarity, even in challenging contexts.

Nigeria’s youth population is one of its greatest strengths. Young people are resourceful, outspoken, and highly engaged in shaping their futures. Working and living in Nigeria offers direct insight into how young communities innovate, adapt, and lead in a complex global environment.

Hosting volunteers in Nigeria offers rich intercultural learning opportunities, exposure to dynamic social contexts, and direct engagement with grassroots initiatives addressing education, youth empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainable development. ICYE Nigeria facilitates safe, well-supported volunteer experiences that enable mutual learning between Nigerian communities and international volunteers.