A Year of Youth Spotlight Series – Jolaade Taiwo of Nigera

Please tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Jolaade Taiwo. I began my career as a pharmacist but transitioned into digital and communications management. This has allowed me to work extensively with charities and startups across Africa, the UK, and the US.

One of my earliest roles in digital communications was with a mental health charity in Nigeria. There, I helped people openly discuss mental health issues and seek treatment without facing stigma. Over the past decade, I’ve continued to work with various charities and startups, most recently with the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, where I now serve in an advisory capacity.

Tell us a little about your event

The event was a webinar titled, Young Voices, Big Choices: Pioneering Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions. It brought young healthcare professionals and enthusiasts together to discuss the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis and brainstorm innovative solutions. This webinar took place during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and highlighted the alarming rate of AMR across the Commonwealth. It emphasised the vital role of young healthcare professionals in addressing this issue and aimed to empower them with knowledge and resources from the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association

We started with a quick overview of the AMR crisis, stressing the importance of involving young voices in tackling this issue. Then, we dove into some really exciting discussions about youth-led tech solutions, like apps and online platforms, that can help address AMR. Our panellists shared their own experiences and insights, which were incredibly inspiring.

What inspired you to work on this particular issue?

I think the inspiration is pretty straightforward: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a crisis we simply can’t ignore. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals, and the environment are leading causes of AMR. By 2050, it’s predicted that AMR could cause more deaths than cancer, which makes it an urgent issue.

At the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA), we’re deeply committed to addressing AMR and raising awareness about how pharmacists across the Commonwealth can tackle this issue. A big part of our work is realizing the crucial role young people play in this fight. That’s why we’ve been focusing on getting more young people involved.

One way we’re doing this is through initiatives like the CwPAMS programme, a partnership with the Tropical Health and Education Trust, focusing on antimicrobial stewardship in various African countries with UK partners. Then there’s the SPARC programme, which builds on CwPAMS’ technical expertise to support antimicrobial stewardship across all Commonwealth countries. We also have an e-Learning platform (CPA CPD platform) with modules on antimicrobial stewardship and infectious diseases, as well as a behaviour change toolkit.

Why is this issue important for your country / community to address?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a silent pandemic that threatens to undermine decades of medical progress. Without effective antimicrobials, common infections could become untreatable, and routine surgeries and medical treatments could become incredibly risky.

We need to address AMR with the same urgency that was exhibited during the recent pandemic. If we don’t, the effectiveness of medications could drastically diminish, leading to severe health crises. To combat this, we need to ramp up grassroots campaigning and push for more affordable healthcare across the Commonwealth.

What was the most memorable moment during the event/project?

The most memorable moments for me, in terms of working with the CPA and pharmacists across the Commonwealth, come from the feedback from those who completed our courses on our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) platform. It was  encouraging to hear them talk about what they’ve learned and how they’re going to use these insights in their local communities.

One standout has been the feedback from our ALF-A (Africa Leadership Fellowship-AMS) fellows. They often tell us how the fellowship has given them an incredible platform to connect with pharmacists from different regions. This kind of shared knowledge and peer-to-peer mentoring is invaluable, offering unique insights into healthcare practices in other countries. Plus, the fellowship allowed them an opportunity to build their leadership skills within their practice.

What is your vision for this project?

My vision for this project is rooted in the belief that young pharmacists are the future of healthcare across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) recognises this, and that’s why we’ve developed this webinar series during the Year of Youth. We aim to equip young pharmacists with essential skills in research, leadership, digital literacy, professional development, and project management.

The idea is to bridge the gap between what they learn academically and the practical skills they need in their professional lives. We want to inspire young pharmacists and pharmacy students by showing them pathways to professional growth and how they can make significant contributions to healthcare.

Through this series, we’ll introduce foundational skills in academic research and writing, leadership, digital healthcare technologies, CV development, professional branding, and project management. We hope to encourage participants to keep learning and developing these skills through the resources and training programmes available to them.

What keeps you motivated?

What keeps me motivated is definitely storytelling—specifically, digital storytelling and impact storytelling. I love meeting random people and discovering what makes them who they are, why they are that way, and how their experiences shape their lives. This curiosity fuels every role I’ve ever held because it allows me to tell the impactful stories of organisations or individuals through digital media. Documenting these encounters, whether through video or blog posts, and placing people at the heart of the story is what drives me.

Tell us an unusual fact or piece of trivia about yourself?

I used to play the drums. It might not sound very unusual, but it’s something I haven’t done in a long time, and I really miss it. I played the drums from my early teenage years right up until I started university, practicing once a week or every other week. Most recently, I’ve started learning how to DJ, which has been a lot of fun and a new way to explore my love for music.

What is your favorite quote?

It might seem a little unconventional, but as a Christian, and in all honesty, the quote that guides me is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I love this quote because it embodies the idea of forgiveness and grace, even before you’re known. It reminds me to assume the best in people and recognise that everyone is a work in progress, whether they share my faith or not. It encourages me to see the potential in everyone and to offer grace and understanding.

What youth issue should be a priority for the Commonwealth Youth Programme and why?

Mental health should be the top priority, without a doubt. Our workforce is predominantly made up of young people who are entering a world filled with anxiety and an overwhelming amount of information to process. This constant pressure can lead to significant mental health issues, creating even more stress and strain on society.

Moreover, a large proportion of these young people live in Africa, where there continues to be stigmas about seeking support for mental health. This hampers the quality of treatment and care they receive. Addressing mental health not only supports the well-being of our youth but also enhances their ability to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world. It’s crucial that we prioritise mental health to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for everyone.