ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT INNOCENT ETOBENUME, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
University of Ilorin | Ilorin, Nigeria | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 3 & UNAI 3
" I am excited to be a Millennium Fellow because it provides a unique platform to merge science, leadership, and community action in advancing sustainable solutions while amplifying my passion for food safety, sustainability, and public health. I do this work because I believe young people have the power and responsibility to create healthier, more just, inclusive, and resilient communities and I am forever committed to being part of that change. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Safe Foods, Strong Communities
Safe Foods, Strong Communities is a community–focused initiative designed to promote food safety awareness, reduce foodborne risks, and strengthen community wellbeing. The project engages students, local vendors, and households through training, hygiene education, and practical demonstrations on safe food handling, storage, and preparation. By partnering with local health stakeholders and youth organizations, we conduct workshops, outreach visits, and food safety campaigns in schools and markets. Our goal is to improve knowledge, encourage behavioral change, and ensure safer food practices that protect community health and support the SDGs, especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
About the Millennium Fellow
Innocent Etobenume, fondly known as Ambassador David, The Volunteer Vanguard, or The Creative Changemaker, is a First-Class graduate of Food Science from the prestigious University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, where he emerged as the Best Graduating Student of his department. He is also a distinguished SPDC-JV Scholar, and University of Ilorin Scholar. Born in Lagos and raised in Warri, Delta State, Innocent had his secondary education at Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, public health advocacy, social entrepreneurship, student leadership, and social impact, Innocent has established himself as a changemaker across diverse initiatives and programs.
As a Founding Member and former President of the University of Ilorin Food Safety Club, he championed food safety awareness by educating students and vendors on proper hygiene and handling practices. His efforts directly advanced SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses within and beyond the campus community.
Beyond academics, Innocent has collaborated with over 20 local and international organizations and counting, including the Planetary Health Alliance, Plogging Nigeria, AIIDEV Africa, FlowTribe Africa, Naijaid UK, Africalics, Wikimedia, TEDxTanke, TEDxHUI, LinkedIn Local Ilorin, LinkedIn Local Nigeria, Students’ Mental Health Advocates, United Nations Millennium Campus Network, Green Institute, Kwara State SDGs Office, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, among others contributing to projects that merge science, social impact, and community development.
He is a fellow of several prestigious programs, including the Harvard Aspire Institute (African Leadership Program), African Leadership Experience (ALX), Unilever Campus Ambassador Program, Equipe African Youth Partnership Mentorship/Leadership Program, and the Millennium Campus Fellowship, where he honed skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and global citizenship. In addition, he has served as Campus Ambassador for organizations such as Unilever, Planetary Health Alliance, Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), YOUverse, Cowrywise, the Nigeria Youth SDGs Network, and the University of Ilorin Green Club, amplifying youth engagement and sustainable impact.
As Creator and Convener of the Ambassador David Initiatives (ADI), Innocent leads mentorship programs that empower young people to seize opportunities, build leadership capacity, and drive social change.
A multifaceted professional, he wears many hats as a Food Safety & SDGs Advocate, Virtual Assistant, Customer Service Representative, Community Manager, Content Creator, Public Speaker, PR & Communications Strategist, Culinary Arts Enthusiast, and Teacher. His passion lies in bridging science, social impact, and innovation to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
