About
The Ovie Brume Foundation creates opportunities for young people attending public state schools to reach beyond their limits and find their place in the world.
At the heart of the Foundation are its Youth Centres in Lagos and Delta State, where young people can learn, explore and develop beyond the classroom. Through education, culture and creativity, livelihood and health, the Foundation exposes them to new ideas and experiences at critical stages in their lives.
More than providing programmes, the Foundation is a community of peers, educators and mentors. We offer consistent guidance, encouragement and support for our members and their families. Young people are given the space to explore, discover their abilities, and gain confidence and independence. With greater awareness of themselves and the possibilities around them, they are better equipped to make choices about what comes next.
This holistic approach has been at the heart of the Foundation since its inception. Today, our programmes, scholarships, internships and partnerships create possibilities for young people to move from learning into further education, from skills into livelihood, and from participation into leadership. These experiences help them pursue their aspirations and make meaningful contributions to the world around them.
Ovierhire Adeyemi Kesiena Brume was born in Lagos in 1973. He began his education at Corona School in Lagos before moving to Fettes College in Edinburgh. Ovie left his mark wherever he studied. At Fettes, he was discovered as an outstanding athlete, setting seven school records.
He went on to study Economics and Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley. He excelled academically and on the rugby field, becoming a member of the U.S. Colleges Rugby All-Star team. He later attended Harvard Business School, where he was elected President of the Africa Business Club during his MBA studies.
In 2001, Ovie returned to Nigeria to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. He had bold ideas for the advancement of the country and its people and embarked on various projects in the communication, mining and petroleum industries. He believed unequivocally in Nigeria’s potential and that its future lay in its youth. But he was concerned that the country’s business and political leaders were not doing enough to nurture and support young people. He was aware that the opportunities he had been given were not available to many Nigerian youths and feared that, as a result, much of their promise might remain unrealised.
Ovie was also kind, gentle and compassionate. He was always ready to help, whether through counselling or sharing his business knowledge with anyone who asked. To his parents, he was also known as ‘Sunshine’. He had an ever-ready smile and loved the joyous and open spirit of children.
When Ovie died unexpectedly in December 2002 at the age of 29, his family carried forward his commitment to Nigeria’s development by establishing the Ovie Brume Foundation. The Youth Centre became central to this vision: a place where young people could find opportunities beyond those ordinarily available to them, discover talents they might not yet recognise and receive the encouragement and support to develop them. That founding belief in the potential of young people continues to shape the Foundation’s work today.
We began as a family foundation with the idea of creating a living memorial to Ovie through our work with young people. From the outset, our vision was holistic, looking beyond academic learning to the development of the whole child.
As we came to know the young people and the circumstances of their lives, we listened, learnt and developed our work in response. Over the years, new programmes, partnerships and Youth Centres have allowed us to reach more young people and extend the opportunities available to them.
The Foundation opened its first Youth Centre in Victoria Island Annexe, Lagos. The objective was to help bridge the gap between young people attending local state-run schools and their peers in private education. Through free after-school programmes, vocational training, excursions and mentorship, the Centre created a welcoming environment for its members to explore new opportunities.
The annual Christmas Bazaar brought our young members, local families, neighbours and supporters together in a festive celebration of giving. The Charity Shop grew from this spirit of community fundraising, selling donated goods and products from around the world. The Bazaar tradition continues today through regular community markets that help support the Foundation’s activities.
As the Youth Centre’s earliest members grew older, the Foundation introduced summer placements with local businesses. These offered young people first-hand experience of working life, helping them understand professional environments and explore different career possibilities.
The Foundation’s plans for a library and resource centre were realised through a partnership with the United States government. Open to our youth members and the wider public, the American Corner provided free access to books, research facilities and IT training, while extending the Foundation’s literacy programmes into local schools.
As we came to know the children and their circumstances, we witnessed how financial difficulties could force even promising students to drop out of school. Project No Excuses grew from our determination to help them continue. We grant scholarships to students who excel academically but whose families struggle to meet the costs of their education. We also provide additional support to help overcome financial, health and practical difficulties that might otherwise interrupt their studies.
Ovie’s love of sport was reflected in the Foundation’s swimming and Taekwondo programmes. swimming is particularly important in Lagos, a city surrounded by water where many children never learn to swim. Youth members developed discipline, confidence and respect for others beyond the classroom through regular training and events such as the OBF Olympics, held as part of the Global Peace Games initiative.
Building on its literacy programmes in local state-run schools, the Foundation partnered with Lafarge Africa to establish a national literacy competition. Held annually over several years, the competition brought together primary school pupils from across Nigeria, with regional contests leading to a national final. Pupils competed in literacy assessments, essay writing and spelling bees, representing their states at national level.
The Foundation established a second Youth Centre in Warri, creating a permanent base for its work with children and the surrounding community. In the region where Ovie’s family has its roots, the Centre became a place for children to take part in after-school literacy and vocational programmes, community service activities and summer camps. Scholarships later opened doors to quality education that many families could not otherwise afford.
Art had been part of the Foundation’s work from the very beginning. In 2016, it hosted Genesis, a charity exhibition featuring ten contemporary Nigerian artists. The exhibition was developed with Abraham Uyovbisere, who had led the Youth Centre’s art programme since its inception and helped bring the participating artists together. A portion of the proceeds from art sales supported the Foundation’s activities.
Twenty years after Ovie’s passing, the Foundation marked his enduring legacy through moving testimonies from some of its earliest youth members. The occasion also marked the commissioning of the new Youth Centre in Surulere, bringing the Foundation’s work into a new community while maintaining its longstanding relationships with members from Victoria Island.
When one of our youth members faced the prospect of an early marriage, the Foundation turned to theatre to address the predicament of many girls. In collaboration with author Abi Daré and the Louding Voice Foundation, we produced a stage
adaptation of her novel The Girl with the Louding Voice, performed by our youth members. 700 pupils from state-run schools attended free of charge; four scholarships were awarded and copies of the novel were donated to all participating schools. The production continues to inspire further advocacy against child marriage.
The Victoria Island Youth Centre
The Foundation opened its first Youth Centre in Victoria Island Annexe, Lagos. The objective was to help bridge the gap between young people attending local state-run schools and their peers in private education. Through free after-school programmes, vocational training, excursions and mentorship, the Centre created a welcoming environment for its members to explore new opportunities.
Christmas Bazaar & Charity Shop
The annual Christmas Bazaar brought our young members, local families, neighbours and supporters together in a festive celebration of giving. The Charity Shop grew from this spirit of community fundraising, selling donated goods and products from around the world. The Bazaar tradition continues today through regular community markets that help support the Foundation's activities.
Summer Work Attachment Programme
As the Youth Centre's earliest members grew older, the Foundation introduced summer placements with local businesses. These offered young people first-hand experience of working life, helping them understand professional environments and explore different career possibilities.
Barrak Obama American Corner
The Foundation’s plans for a library and resource centre were realised through a partnership with the United States government. Open to our youth members and the wider public, the American Corner provided free access to books, research facilities and IT training, while extending the Foundation’s literacy programmes into local schools.
Project No Excuses
As we came to know the children and their circumstances, we witnessed how financial difficulties could force even promising students to drop out of school. Project No Excuses grew from our determination to help them continue. We grant scholarships to students who excel academically but whose families struggle to meet the costs of their education. We also provide additional support to help overcome financial, health and practical difficulties that might otherwise interrupt their studies.
Sports for Development
Ovie's love of sport was reflected in the Foundation's swimming and Taekwondo programmes. swimming is particularly important in Lagos, a city surrounded by water where many children never learn to swim. Youth members developed discipline, confidence and respect for others beyond the classroom through regular training and events such as the OBF Olympics, held as part of the Global Peace Games initiative.
Lafarge National Literacy Competition
Building on its literacy programmes in local state-run schools, the Foundation partnered with Lafarge Africa to establish a national literacy competition. Held annually over several years, the competition brought together primary school pupils from across Nigeria, with regional contests leading to a national final. Pupils competed in literacy assessments, essay writing and spelling bees, representing their states at national level.
The Niger Delta Youth Centre
The Foundation established a second Youth Centre in Warri, creating a permanent base for its work with children and the surrounding community. In the region where Ovie's family has its roots, the Centre became a place for children to take part in after- school literacy and vocational programmes, community service activities and summer camps. Scholarships later opened doors to quality education that many families could not otherwise afford.
Genesis Charity Art Exhibition
Art had been part of the Foundation's work from the very beginning. In 2016, it hosted Genesis, a charity exhibition featuring ten contemporary Nigerian artists. The exhibition was developed with Abraham Uyovbisere, who had led the Youth Centre's art programme since its inception and helped bring the participating artists together. A portion of the proceeds from art sales supported the Foundation's activities.
Marking Twenty Years
Twenty years after Ovie's passing, the Foundation marked his enduring legacy through moving testimonies from some of its earliest youth members. The occasion also marked the commissioning of the new Youth Centre in Surulere, bringing the Foundation's work into a new community while maintaining its longstanding relationships with members from Victoria Island.
The Girl with the Louding Voice
When one of our youth members faced the prospect of an early marriage, the Foundation turned to theatre to address the predicament of many girls. In collaboration with author Abi Daré and the Louding Voice Foundation, we produced a stage adaptation of her novel The Girl with the Louding Voice, performed by our youth members. 700 pupils from state-run schools attended free of charge; four scholarships were awarded and copies of the novel were donated to all participating schools. The production continues to inspire further advocacy against child marriage.
Creating an enabling environment where young people are able to reach their goals and give back to their communities.
Our vision is a society where young people are educated and empowered
This is of utmost importance in our relationship with the communities we serve. It
defines relationships among staff and with our partners. We teach this to our
members as part of our core values at the Foundation.
This applies to members of staff, the board and children of the youth centre. We
strive to inspire excellence in all who walk through our doors; in whatever it is they
do.
A key value for everyone in Ovie Brume Foundation is rights, particularly children’s
rights, freedom of expression and diversity. We expect staff, board members, clients,
and children to adopt this respectful attitude.
Professionalism in our approach to work and dealings with our clients – the highest
form of professionalism must be maintained. Doing the right thing, irrespective of
who it is. We believe this embodies excellence and Integrity.
We will serve our clients and children irrespective of their age, religion, economic
status, physical ability, ethnic group, and gender.
Our Mission
Creating an enabling environment where young people are able to reach their goals and give back to their communities.
Our vision is a society where young people are educated and empowered
