About Us
SAVE THE SLUM INITIATIVE
SAVE THE SLUM INITIATIVE (STSI)
Save the Slum Initiative (STSI) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation established in 2016 and committed to improving the welfare, protection, and socio-economic wellbeing of vulnerable populations affected by armed conflict and extreme poverty. Our work focuses on children, young persons, women, and other at-risk groups across underserved communities in Nigeria.
STSI delivers life-saving and life-sustaining interventions through comprehensive reproductive health services for women and girls, community empowerment, education, and targeted protection services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (S/GBV). In addition, we support poverty reduction efforts and promote community resilience through skills development and social support systems.
A core pillar of our mission is improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). STSI provides clean water solutions, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene education to disadvantaged populations in slums and low-income communities, while also advocating for inclusive WASH policy at the national level.
Since 2016, we have implemented programmes across Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Ogun, and Borno States, delivering interventions in education, livelihoods, health, and peacebuilding. Through our Project Smile Initiative, STSI executed a comprehensive WASH programme for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Abuja, which included hygiene promotion, construction of toilets and handwashing facilities, and training for women and camp leaders on sustainable WASH facility management.
In Borno State, we facilitated a community-based peacebuilding project that engaged youths through sports to enhance anger management and conflict resolution skills, reducing the likelihood of violence in everyday disputes.
STSI has consistently delivered capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening the safety, agency, and advocacy roles of women and children at the community level. We have also implemented multiple integrated sexual and reproductive health projects that support women and girls in crisis-affected areas.
Since inception, STSI has reached over 1 million people across more than 13 states in Nigeria, advancing our commitment to dignity, protection, and sustainable development for vulnerable populations.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Samuel Adeyinka Owa
TRANSFORMATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LEADER | AFRICA’S CHANGEMAKER
Samuel Adeyinka is a bold, people-centered humanitarian leader reshaping lives across Africa’s most underserved communities. As Founder/CEO of Save the Slum Initiative, he has led impactful interventions reaching over one million people in Nigeria’s slums and crisis-affected areas.
With more than a decade of frontline experience, Samuel drives multi-sector solutions in WASH, Nutrition, Child Protection, GBV prevention, Education, Livelihoods, Peacebuilding, and Health—bringing hope to places often forgotten. His leadership has strengthened social cohesion from the conflict-hit Northeast to remote rural communities.
A trusted partner to global organizations like UNICEF, IOM, Solidarités International, and ZOA, Samuel is known for navigating complex humanitarian challenges and delivering sustainable, community-owned results.
Beyond project leadership, he mentors emerging changemakers as Lead Speaker at Thinkers Leadership Academy and uses media advocacy to amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
Samuel continues to position Save the Slum Initiative for continental expansion, championing African-led solutions for lasting development.
