About Street Mentors Network
We protect, mentor, educate, and empower vulnerable children.
Brief History
From a burden for street-connected children to a growing child protection movement.
Street Mentors Network (SMN) is a registered youth-focused nonprofit organisation based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. SMN supports street-connected children, out-of-school children, vulnerable girls, teenage mothers and underserved young people through shelter support, alternative care pathways, education reintegration, life skills, vocational training, mentorship, advocacy and community mobilisation.
Since its founding in 2021, SMN has grown from a grassroots child-support initiative into a structured civil society organisation with active partnerships, audited financial records, safeguarding systems, and direct implementation experience across education, child protection, alternative care and youth empowerment. SMN’s work responds to urgent evidence-backed needs: Nigeria has 18.3 million out-of-school children, 74% of children aged 7-14 lack basic reading and mathematics skills, and two-thirds of Nigerian children live in multidimensional poverty. SMN’s community-based model combines immediate care with long-term pathways: rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, schooling, vocational skills, mentoring, sports, foster-care mobilisation and sustained alumni support.
Mission Statement
To provide opportunities for vulnerable and underprivileged children in Southern Nigeria to grow, learn and thrive
through advocacy, education, direct mentorship, shelter, alternative care, vocational/life-skill training and other
necessary means of support.
Vision Statement
To become the world’s leading NGO for the rescue and transformation of the lives of vulnerable, underprivileged children and children in street situations.
Core Values
The values that guide our work
Children first
Children’s safety, dignity, and wellbeing come first in every decision, programme, story, and partnership.
Dignity
We treat every child and young person with respect, regardless of their background, story, or current situation.
Compassion
We respond to vulnerable children with care, patience, empathy, and practical support.
Accountability
We value transparency, responsible reporting, ethical practice, and careful use of resources entrusted to us.
Sustainability
We believe sustainable child protection requires families, schools, faith leaders, traditional institutions, government, and communities working together.
Sacrifice
We choose service, discipline and commitment even when the work requires time, personal
convenience and resources.
MEET OUR CO-FOUNDERS
They are young, skilled, passionate and determined.
Anita Godwin Michael
Co-founder/ Executive Director
Social impact leader, entrepreneur, storyteller and youth development advocate with over 10 years of experience designing and implementing community-centred initiatives focused on child protection, youth empowerment, women’s economic inclusion, leadership development and employability. Founder of Street Mentors Network and The Talk Queen Academy.
Prince I. Nyong
Co-founder/ Programs Manager
Prince Nyong is from Cross River State, Nigeria. He is an Educationist, youth development practitioner and Programmes Manager at Street Mentors Network, where he has spent over four (4) years working directly with street-connected children and out-of-school youths. His work focuses on creating safe spaces for learning, expression, and personal development through vocational education, mentorship, and life skills training.
Prince Nyong is also a certified SDGs advocate by UN SDSN Youth. He is a serial volunteer for courses around the world that promotes the SDGs like the UN WSA Young Innovators Call where he has served as online Juror since 2023 and the UN Online Volunteers Program. He is an Alumni of several renowned fellowships including Mckinsey Forward Program, ALX Career Essentials Course, SDGs Advocate Program, SAIL Teachers Fellowship and many more.
Prince Nyong has received several recognitions for his contributions to sustainable development including a Certificate of Appreciation by UN Volunteers- East and Southern Africa, Certificate of Recognition by UN SDSN Youth for outstanding service, Award of Outstanding Entrepreneur in Uyo, Top 30 under 30 Award by Opportunity Desk, Outstanding Mentee Award by GELA Prestigious Mentorship Program Cohort 10, amongst others. He is currently a candidate of United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership Program and Fellow, 2026 One Million Leaders Africa (OMLA) Fellowship.
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Led by people committed to child protection and youth development.
Udeme Nana, fnipr
Public Service / Media
Dr. Udeme Nana is an experienced journalism and public affairs professional. He holds a BA (Hons ) in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also holds an MBA in PR ( Mkt ) from the same University and MA and PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo. He is an alumnus of the International School of Public Relations, London and the Lagos Business School’s Media and Communication. He is a fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar, formerly 21st Century Trust, UK. Dr Nana worked as a Spokesperson to two Governors in Akwa Ibom State between 1999 and 2008. He runs a MasterClass in Writing Protocol and Public Affairs Mgt.
Joy U. Godwin
Education, Youth Development
Joy Godwin is an education and youth development professional with over eight years of experience supporting young people, educators, and institutions across Africa through thoughtfully designed and well-executed programmes. Her work spans education programming, youth leadership, teacher development, evidence generation, and policy-facing engagement. She has led and supported multi-country initiatives and high-level convenings, working closely with governments, funders, researchers, civil society, and private sector partners. Joy brings a strong ability to turn learning and evidence into practical action, helping programmes improve and partnerships deliver lasting value.
Morris S. Andati
Sustainable Development and Public Policy
Morris Andati is a youth policy advocate, development strategist, and Partnership Manager for the African United Nations Youth Delegate and Representative Program (AUNYD). He works at the intersection of public policy, sustainable development, and youth governance, with a focus on translating global frameworks into locally grounded action across Africa. He is the founder and executive director of Smart Talk Café, a youth-focused platform advancing sustainable development, green entrepreneurship, and social justice.
Safeguarding Commitment
Children’s safety comes first.
Street Mentors Network is committed to child safeguarding, ethical storytelling, responsible photography, safe programming, confidentiality, and protection from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harm. We do not treat children as objects of pity. We work to protect their dignity while responding to their needs.
Stakeholders and Partnerships
We believe child protection is collective work.
SMN works with schools, government agencies, civil society organisations, child protection actors, traditional institutions, faith communities, volunteers, media partners, and donors. These relationships help us respond better, reach more children, and advocate for safer systems.
Join us in building safer futures for children.
You can support our work by donating, volunteering, partnering, reporting child protection concerns, or helping us speak up for children who need care, safety, and opportunity.