Every step we take to empower individuals is an investment in the next generation —Somtoo Obidike, winner of TFAAi Prize for Social Impact

Somtoo Obidike is a business leader and social impact advocate whose work spans energy, youth empowerment, education, and community development. He is the Founder and CEO of Bergmen Energies, Operations and Project Manager of the MAI Foundation, and Managing Director of STEMi Makers of Africa. His activities recently earned him The Future Awards Africa Independent (TFAAi) 2026 Prize for Social Impact. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, he discusses his journey, the significance of the award, and his vision for creating lasting social impact.

Congratulations on your nomination and winning The Future Awards Africa Independent (TFAAi) 2026 Prize for Social Impact. Why do you think you were nominated for the prize, and what does winning it mean to you?

I would like to sincerely thank TFAAi for the recognition. Over the past couple of months, the MAI Foundation has grown into a household name, with our ongoing projects and impact reaching communities across the state. I believe the visibility and tangible results of our work created a spotlight on the foundation.

Winning was completely unexpected because my pursuit has always been to see meaningful and sustainable outcomes from the programmes we implement. I have approached the work wholeheartedly, driven by the desire to create a better society. This award means a great deal to me because it is a reminder that there are people out there who see, appreciate, and value your dedication and contribution to creating positive change.

How would you describe or define social impact in your line of work? How and when did you begin your work in the social and humanitarian spaces?

To me, social impact is about significantly contributing to human capital development. Nigeria, as a country, still relies heavily on its human capital, so creating opportunities for people to develop, become productive, and improve their livelihoods is at the heart of social impact.

I began my work in the social and humanitarian space through my existing power generation and distribution company, Bergmen Energies. Through the company, we started working to electrify rural communities, where access to reliable electricity can make a significant difference in people’s lives.

However, I quickly realised that electricity alone is not enough. These communities also need support through upskilling and empowerment, access to opportunities, and the ability to use electricity to grow small and medium-sized businesses. By combining access to energy with skills development and economic empowerment, we can help bridge the gap between infrastructure and meaningful social impact.

You were nominated for the TFAAi prize for your role and work as the operations and project manager of the MAI Foundation. Tell us about the foundation, its recent work, and how it impacted the beneficiaries.

The MAI Foundation is built around a strong core value of empowering women and young people by creating opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, and economic independence. One of its recent initiatives was a pilot programme carried out in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which focused on empowering 120 young people through vocational training in areas such as tailoring, shoemaking, and carpentry.

As the operations and project manager, I witnessed firsthand the impact of the programme. The results were even greater than we initially anticipated. A significant number of participants were already independently running their own businesses within the one-year programme period, demonstrating that the training had translated into practical skills, income-generating opportunities, and greater economic independence. For me, the most rewarding part was seeing beneficiaries move beyond simply acquiring skills to actually applying those skills to build sustainable livelihoods. The programme demonstrated what is possible when young people are given the right skills, support, and opportunities.

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More detailed insights, outcomes, and impact metrics from the programme can be found in the MAI Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report on its official website.

Human and social problems seem to be increasing despite the consistent efforts of people and organisations who are working towards managing them. Do you think society really understands and appreciates the work people like you are doing to address the problems it faces? Do you see hope for society in this regard?

I strongly believe in the process of “becoming”. Many young people simply need to see what is possible to ignite the spark to aspire for more. Every step we take to empower individuals, create opportunities, and inspire hope is an investment in the next generation and a way of paying it forward.

The name of the prize you won has ‘Future’ and ‘Africa’ in it. What kind of future do you imagine for African young people, especially as regards work and leadership that would enable them to compete well with their peers in other continents?

I see a future where young Africans can have a clear sense of direction in their mid-20s without constantly struggling to overcome systemic challenges. A future where opportunities are within reach, and young people can fully harness their potential. The MAI Foundation and I want to be that bridge, connecting Africa’s future leaders to the opportunities they need to thrive.

Leadership and social impact go hand in hand. What kind of leadership or policy would you recommend to the Nigerian government that would help strengthen good social values in the country, especially in rural communities?

I believe there are already policies in place that can strengthen good social values. What is needed is stronger implementation, regulation, and monitoring to ensure that these policies translate into real opportunities at the grassroots, particularly in rural communities where they are often needed most.

Aside from your work in the social and humanitarian spaces, which work or job do you do, and what impact is it having on society?

Aside from my role at the MAI Foundation, I am also the Managing Director of Stemi Makers of Africa, where we are focused on bridging the educational gap through the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. We believe that exposing young people to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics equips them with the skills and mindset needed to compete in a rapidly evolving world.

I am also the Founder of Bergmen Energies, a power generation and distribution company focused on expanding energy access to rural communities, as well as commercial and industrial clients. Through flexible financing solutions, we make reliable and affordable energy more accessible to businesses and underserved communities.

Across both ventures, my goal is to create practical opportunities that empower people, strengthen communities, and contribute to a more productive and sustainable Africa.

What is your advice to African young people wishing to contribute their time, talent, and energy towards social and community work, especially in communities where such endeavours are rarely appreciated?

I would encourage young Africans to start with purpose, not recognition. Social impact is not always immediately appreciated, but meaningful change takes patience and consistency. Identify a genuine need, serve with integrity, and let the impact speak for itself. Even when your efforts go unnoticed, remember that one life transformed can inspire an entire community.