Afam Onyema is bringing essential services and educational opportunities to those in need, also creating pathways for young girls to succeed in Nigeria.
“Every time a girl tells me she wants to be a nurse or an engineer, I feel a sense of fulfillment.”
Afam Onyema stands at the intersection of legacy and ambition, driven by a vision ignited in the heart of his father.
“My dad always told us about his story and his dream, which started very small. We just tried to do little things to help in Nigeria,” Onyema recalls.
His parents, Godwin and Nma, were native Nigerians who had embarked on a journey to the United States (U.S.) in the mid-seventies, fueled by the desire to help their homeland. Godwin, a trained doctor, and Nma, a nurse, envisioned a future where they could save lives and uplift their community.
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Growing up as the second of four children, Onyema absorbed his father’s story and decided to step away from a legal career to build GEANCO, an organization established by Godwin in 2005. The name GEANCO is derived from the initials of the Onyema family — Godwin, Ebele, Afam, Nche, Nma, and Chukwugozie — and aims to create opportunities and transform lives in Africa.
“We started with medical missions, performing surgeries and bringing surgeons over. From there, we began to build relationships, establish credibility, and gain experience,” shares Onyema, GEANCO’s co-founder and CEO.
Navigating the complexities of operating in Nigeria while based in the U.S. posed unique challenges, he understood that establishing a solid infrastructure was crucial to GEANCO’s success. He leaned on his cousin, Obinna Okoye, who established a team in Nigeria to handle local operations. With this foundation in place, Onyema could focus on leadership, strategy, and fundraising.
However, raising funds for a vision still in its infancy was daunting. “In those early days, I was asking donors to believe in a dream,” he admits. Yet, through persistence and the support of early believers, GEANCO began to flourish, evolving from a small organization into a force for change.
With each successful mission, GEANCO began to build a reputation for excellence, attracting attention from high-profile supporters like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, David Oyelowo, Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey.
With each trip to Nigeria, Onyema witnessed the tangible results of GEANCO’s work. He visited communities where shipping container clinics provided essential medical services, allowing mothers to give birth in safe, hygienic environments. He met young girls whose lives were transformed by scholarships and mentorship programs, fostering their aspirations in STEM fields.
“I can’t describe the joy of seeing these girls, full of hope and determination, knowing we’re helping them reach their full potential,” he says.
Despite the progress, Onyema acknowledges the persistent challenges facing Nigeria. “Good governance could solve many of these issues,” he states. “With the right infrastructure — clean water, power, and education — Nigeria could become the Singapore of Africa.”
“With the right infrastructure — clean water, power, and education — Nigeria could become the Singapore of Africa.”
Recognizing the disparities in educational access for girls in Nigeria, the foundation formed a partnership with The Smiths Group Foundation to launch an initiative aimed at empowering young girls through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The initiative’s cornerstone is the STEM Leadership Summits, designed to ignite a passion for STEM among participants in Junior Secondary 3 to Senior Secondary 1.
“We want to expose them to the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a modern economy,” Onyema explains, excitement evident in his voice. “We’re not just building knowledge; we’re building a community of future leaders.”
“We want these girls to understand that a successful career in STEM is within their reach, regardless of socioeconomic challenges,” he explains. The program features panels led by Nigerian female STEM practitioners, including Nigeria’s first female pilot, to inspire and mentor participants.
The summits offer hands-on workshops, with practical sessions on cutting-edge technologies such as solar power systems, drone assembly, 3D-printing, and the Internet of Things. Onyema believes that engaging the girls in projects of their choice would foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of STEM fields.
“We want them to see how engineering solutions can transform their communities,” he emphasizes.
To provide ongoing support, the initiative would also launch an online platform offering free access to 240 STEM lessons tailored to the Nigerian curriculum. This approach ensures that thousands of disadvantaged students, even in remote areas, could benefit from STEM education.
Through the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls, Onyema witnessed dreams take flight. What started as a modest initiative in Abuja expanded to serve 45 girls across four schools. The scholarship offers full tuition, healthcare, and social and psychological support to young female survivors of terrorism and gender inequality.
“Every time a girl tells me she wants to be a nurse or an engineer, I feel a sense of fulfillment,” he shares. “We’re creating pathways for them to succeed.”
As Onyema stands on the brink of a new chapter for GEANCO, he remains hopeful: “We’re really excited about this work and hope to gain more support for it. We’ve been incredibly blessed by the supporters who have kept this initiative going for over 17 years, and we aim to continue for another 17 — or even 70 years. With the support we need, we can reach more girls, inspire them, and provide them with brighter hopes for the future. We love what we do and feel fortunate to be able to make an impact, and we hope more people will recognize our mission and partner with us in this important work.”
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