Young people often see leadership as a right tied to age, but real leadership goes beyond numbers. It requires resilience, character, and the ability to build trust and work collectively.Development expert, Dr. Mustapha Shehu draws from powerful metaphors and real-world experiences to reveal the “missing link” between youthful ambition and effective leadership.His talk challenges young leaders to rise above entitlement, embrace resilience, like tea tested in hot water, and move from “I” to “we,” showing that the future of leadership lies in bridges built on trust, courage, and shared vision. Dr. Mustapha Shehu is a Nigerian development expert from Katsina State, currently serving as the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board (KSDMB). Appointed by Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda in December 2024, he leads the board in driving developmental interventions and economic planning across the state.Before this role, Dr. Shehu coordinated the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Katsina State, a World Bank-supported program focused on advancing girls’ education. In 2024, he was also appointed Director of Linkages, Collaboration, and Social Entrepreneurship at the Nigeria Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NIIE).He is a strong advocate for girls’ education, he continues to champion initiatives that promote social development. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Cities are more than buildings and roads, they are places where people search for connection and identity.Nigerian architect and entrepreneur Khalifa Rabiu Tahir believes design has the power to transform how we live together.From high-end developments to global collaborations with brands like Pizza Hut, Mövenpick, and Skyline University, his work blends innovation, sustainability, and community.In this talk, he explores how rethinking our cities can foster belonging, elevate living, and build spaces that bring us closer. Architect Khalifa Rabiu Tahir is a Nigerian architect, entrepreneur, and real estate developer, recognized for his high-end and hospitality projects across Northern Nigeria. He is the CEO of Construcshop, a real estate development firm behind landmark projects such as The Emirates by Construcshop in Kano, and has worked with global brands including Pizza Hut, Mövenpick, and Skyline University.A visionary in urban innovation and sustainability, Tahir is committed to creating spaces that foster belonging, elevate living, and drive economic growth. His global engagements include participation in United Nations Habitat III and the World Economic Forum, where he serves as a Global Shaper.He also holds leadership roles within professional bodies, serving as Dean/Student Affairs Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (Kano) and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture Youth Entrepreneurs. Beyond architecture, he is a thought leader and dynamic communicator, known for co-hosting entrepreneurship-focused media programs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Stories are more than entertainment, they are bridges that connect us across cultures, experiences, and divides.Photographer and filmmaker Aisha Augie Kutie shows how storytelling can break stereotypes, nurture empathy, and build spaces of belonging.Her talk invites us to imagine what becomes possible when we share our truths and allow the stories of others to transform us. Aisha Augie-Kuta is an award-winning Nigerian photographer, filmmaker, and public servant. She is the current Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC). Previously, she served as Special Adviser on Digital Communications Strategy to the Federal Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and as Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Kebbi State.Her work spans documentary, fashion, and aerial photography, with a unique style that uses juxtaposition to show multiple perspectives. She often explores themes of gender and identity, influenced by her experiences as a female, mixed-race, and mixed-tribe Nigerian.Augie-Kuta holds a degree in Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University and certificates in filmmaking and curating contemporary art from the New York Film Academy and Chelsea College of Arts. She is a Nigeria Leadership Initiative Associate, Vice President of Women in Film and Television Nigeria (WIFTIN), and a UNICEF High-Level Women Advocate on Education.She has received multiple awards, including The Future Awards Creative Artist of the Year (2011) and the British Council Through-My-Eyes Award (2014). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Miss Veena shows how storytelling can transform the way we learn mathematics. She invites us to script math learning together making it engaging, creative, and meaningful for everyone. Miss Veena G R is the Head of the Mathematics Department at The International School Bangalore and first began her teaching career in the Karnataka hill station. While pursuing her Master’s, she moved to Bangalore, where she continued teaching first in a college, while simultaneously pursuing a M.Phil, PGDHE and PGDDE, while writing books, articles, and attending various conferences and presenting papers. Having over 30 years of teaching experience, she realised that “I realised intelligence lies not in imitation but in making further connections and extrapolations”. In this talk, she reflects on how in newly introfuced courses in Bangalore University had subjects that required multiple textbooks, and in the end after realising the necessity, she was the one who published a textbook on this matter. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

From Mumbai’s chawls to national charts, singer-songwriter Dikshant shares how he turned noise into music, struggle into songs, and endings into beginnings—reminding us that belief and persistence can transform the smallest dreams into powerful journeys. Dikshant, a soulful singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with his heartfelt lyrics, melodious voice. He is known for his hit tracks like Aankhon Se Batana and Mehfooz. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Dr. Catherine L. Dutton explores the concept of access through her journey as a sexuality educator entering the dating world for the first time in 2024. During that year she learned not only about relationships, but about how to access her authentic self. Using humor and relatable stories, Dr. Dutton discusses themes around identity and societal norms. (Did you know Netflix and Chill doesn't usually include actually watching Netflix??) This talk will resonate with anyone who has felt like they were starting from scratch or struggling to reconcile their inner self with external expectations.Catherine L. Dutton, PhD is an Associate Professor in the School of Human Sciences at Texas Woman’s University. With a doctorate in Family Studies, her research and presentations focus on innovative teaching practices and advocacy for parenting students. Beyond academia, Catherine speaks on finding your authentic self along with her own story of dating for the first time at 47. She shares insights on discovering one’s true self after a lifetime of prioritizing others’ expectations. Catherine is also an award-winning quilter whose work has appeared in national juried shows. She cherishes her role as a devoted aunt to eleven niblings and delights in the company of her three cats. An avid reader of books “that make others fall asleep,” she brings depth, warmth, and unexpected humor to conversations about life’s most challenging transitions.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx