At 20, Muslimat Ifedolapo Alade is pursuing a vision that reaches far beyond her country – to build a network that young Africans can trust to help them discover opportunities and access the resources they need to grow.
The idea behind The Launchpad Network (TLN) took shape in March 2026, when Alade, a student at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) observed a challenge among the young people around her. Many had valuable skills, talent and ambition, yet struggled to find opportunities that could help them take the next step. Scholarships, fellowships, internships, leadership programmes and other opportunities existed, but access to information about them was not equal.
For Alade, this was a problem worth solving.
I have seen young people with so much talent and potential struggle to find opportunities simply because they don’t know where to look or lack the right connections. I believe where a young person comes from should not determine the opportunities they can access. That is a big part of why I started The Launchpad Network. I want to make finding opportunities easier and help more young Africans see what is possible for them,” she says.
That conviction became the foundation of TLN, now officially launched, a network built on the belief that young people deserve better access to opportunities, knowledge, connections and the guidance needed to make progress.
From an Idea to a Continental Vision
For Alade, the challenge was not simply that opportunities were difficult to find. Talented young people could miss out on them before they had the chance to show what they could do.
A student might have the ability to secure a scholarship but never hear about it. A recent graduate might be qualified for an internship but lack the networks through which such opportunities are discovered. Another young person might have an idea worth pursuing but need guidance, relevant skills or the right connections to move forward.
TLN was designed to close these gaps. It makes opportunities more accessible while helping young people become better prepared to pursue them. Its work goes beyond sharing announcements to include capacity development, mentorship, networking and community engagement.
Although TLN’s initial focus is Nigeria, its long-term direction is Africa. The ambition is to become the continent’s leading opportunity-sharing network, one that young people can consistently rely on for relevant opportunities and useful resources, whether or not they belong to well-connected circles.
More Than a Place to Find Opportunities
TLN is built around five pillars: opportunity access, capacity development, mentorship, networking and community impact.
Through opportunity access, TLN identifies, verifies and shares scholarships, internships, fellowships, grants, jobs, conferences, competitions and leadership programmes.
But finding an opportunity is only one part of the process. TLN also helps young people build the skills needed to pursue these opportunities through application workshops, CV reviews, career development sessions, leadership training and digital skills development.
Its mentorship programmes will connect members with experienced professionals who can offer guidance on academic, career and personal development. Networking activities will help members build relationships, exchange knowledge and collaborate. TLN also encourages young people to take part in projects that address community challenges, particularly in education, health, leadership and community development.
Access to information matters, but so do preparation and guidance that turn an opportunity into a real outcome,” Alade says. “That is what we are building at TLN: not just a place to find opportunities, but a community that helps you win them.”
Built in Africa, With Africans in Mind
TLN’s continental ambition is grounded in the reality of young people who have talent and drive but do not always have the same access to information and networks as their peers. Its long-term goal is to enable young people across Africa to discover opportunities beyond their immediate environments, develop relevant skills and connect with people who can support their growth.
The development roadmap includes strategic partnerships, expanded learning activities, mentorship programmes and physical events. Over time, TLN also intends to introduce a fellowship programme, an annual summit, scholarship initiatives, innovation programmes and a leadership academy.
The aim is to build something that stays useful long after a single announcement or programme. A young person might first encounter TLN while searching for a scholarship, return for career development resources, and later connect with a mentor or collaborate with other members on a project.
The People Behind TLN
Alade originated the idea and leads TLN’s overall direction, working alongside a founding team that brings together operational, creative, communications and community expertise.
Olayinka Richard Obaloluwa is Head of Operations, coordinating TLN’s activities. Tijani Islamiat leads Brand Design, shaping its visual identity, while Ayoola Gideon Ishola leads Creative Design. Adesokan Oyindamola Karimot is Digital Communications Lead, managing communications and digital presence. Bankole Mutmainnah works Community Manager, overseeing TLN’s community and driving member engagement.
A Vision That Goes Beyond Borders
Alade envisions a network that connects young Africans to possibilities beyond their immediate environments, helps them prepare for those possibilities and creates room for them to support others along the way.
The significance of that vision lies in its potential reach. An opportunity discovered by one student could change the direction of their education. A professional connection could open a door that once seemed out of reach. The knowledge gained by one member could help another follow the same path.
Join The Launchpad Network
TLN is calling on young Africans who are looking for opportunities, as well as mentors, professionals, organisations and institutions that want to invest in the next generation, to join the movement.
“If you are a young African searching for your next step, join us. If you are a professional or organisation that wants to open doors for others, partner with us. The future of this continent depends on how well we prepare and empower its young people,” Alade says.
Email: thelaunchpadnetwork@gmail.com
Instagram: @the_launchpad_Network
LinkedIn: The Launchpad Network
