JUNE 2026 ADVOCACY & ADVOCACY & LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE ISSUE #1 MASHA P. JOHNSON A Legacy of Courage ENTREPRENEURSHIP A powerful path to growth, independence, and impact. LENACAPAVIR The future of HIV prevention in Nigeria Financial stress MENTAL HEALTH How financial pressure is affecting the mental health, dreams, and daily lives of young Nigerians. W W W.T E A N I G E R I A .O R G WWW.TEANIGERIA.ORG
An advocacy and lifestyle e-magazine by TOWARD EMPOWERMENT AND ADVOCACY INITIATIVE www.teanigeria.org Content Director Our Contributors W. Ricky Jax Oud Berry A. Atanda Sherrif Tinuke Olokodana Zi’ Cole Tommy Friday KHAMIS Contributing Writers Emmy Omoh Joshua Uche Designed by Editor-in-Chief Idris Lasisi Managing Editor Kayode ‘Jare Honcho Qay EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER The TEA Magazine is published for educational, informational, advocacy, and cultural purposes. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented at the time of publication. Some photographs, illustrations, and visual materials featured in this publication are used for editorial, educational, commentary, and noncommercial storytelling purposes. Where possible, credits have been provided. If any copyright holder believes that material has been used in error or without appropriate attribution, we encourage them to contact the editorial team for prompt review and resolution. The views expressed by contributors, writers, and interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Toward Empowerment and Advocacy Initiative (TEA Nigeria). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used for review, commentary, or educational purposes. For inquiries, corrections, or copyright concerns, please contact: info@teanigeria.org www.teanigeria.org THE TEA | 2
TEA NIGERIA E-MAGAZINE | JUNE 2026 FROM THE EDITOR 04 | Editor's Note FEATURE STORIES 08 | Beyond Sexual Assault Awareness Month Why awareness alone is not enough for survivors in underserved communities. 11 | Financial stress & Mental health How financial pressure is affecting the mental health, dreams, and daily lives of young Nigerians. 16 | The cost of silence How silence enables injustice and why advocacy begins where silence ends. 22 | Entrepreneurship: The Engine of Innovation and Growth Why entrepreneurship remains one of the strongest drivers of opportunity and economic transformation. HEALTH & WELLNESS 30 | Lenacapavir: The Future of HIV Prevention in Nigeria A breakthrough in HIV prevention and what access could mean for vulnerable communities. 39 | Move at Home Simple exercises for everyday energy and wellbeing. 40 | How to Care for Your Afro Hair on a Budget Affordable tips for healthy, strong, and moisturized hair. STYLE & LIFESTYLE 37 | Casual Style, Maximum Charm Effortless fashion, confidence, and everyday elegance. THE TEA | 3
TEA NIGERIA E-MAGAZINE | JUNE 2026 PRIDE MONTH SPECIAL 28 | Arts & Pride Month How creativity continues to shape visibility, identity, and advocacy. 34 | Prideful in June Young Nigerians are refusing to be invisible. 52 | Historical Spotlight: Marsha P. Johnson The activist whose legacy continues to inspire generations. 57 | The Stonewall Riot The uprising that transformed LGBTQ+ history. ARTS & CULTURE 61 | Destination: Nike Art Gallery Exploring one of Nigeria's most inspiring cultural spaces . 63 | June Books Recommended reads for the month. COMMUNITY & ADVOCACY 43 | TEA Spotlights: Our May Engagements Highlights from TEA Nigeria's advocacy and community work. 44 | Strengthening Collective Action Against Kito Violence 46 | Empowering young people through Human Rights education READER'S CORNER 66 | Help Us Brew Better Stories Share your thoughts and help shape future editions. 68 | Subscribe & Stay Connected Stay updated with every issue of THE TEA. THE TEA | 4
FROM THE CHIEF “THE TEA” e-magazine. This edition comes at a time that holds meaning across many layers. June invites reflection, expression, and, for many, quiet acts of courage. Within the Nigerian context, these realities often exist in ways that are not always visible, yet deeply felt. This publication was created with a clear intention to hold space for conversations that sit at the intersection of identity, culture, mental health, and everyday lived experience. The stories in these pages move through difficult but necessary themes, from the cost of silence to the weight of financial stress, from the power of creative expression to emerging shifts in how young people are choosing to exist and be seen. There is no single narrative here. What exists instead is a collection of perspectives that reflect complexity, resilience, and honesty. Not everything is loud. Not everything is visible. But all of it matters. As this platform grows, so will the depth, clarity, and precision with which these stories are told. What remains constant is the commitment to documenting realities as they are, and creating a space where they can be engaged with thoughtfully. Thank you for reading, and for stepping into this Idris Lasisi first issue with us. Executive Director, TEA NIGERIA THE TEA | 5
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH W Kayode ‘Jare hen Sexual Assault Awareness Month ends in April, public attention often moves on, but sexual violence does not. For many survivors in underserved communities across Nigeria, what remains is the same environment that made the assault possible in the first place. Life continues under conditions shaped by limited access to protection, care, and accountability. Awareness moments may create visibility, but they do not automatically translate into safety. A persistent misconception is that sexual assault is rare, or that it happens only in extreme, unfamiliar situations. In reality, sexual violence in Nigeria commonly occurs in everyday spaces and is often committed by people survivors know. Neighbours, relatives, employers, and intimate partners are frequently involved. This reality makes the idea of reporting far more complex than it appears from the outside. THE TEA | 8
Lagos and other southwest states), speaking out can mean risking housing, income, or social support. For many survivors, silence is not confusion or denial. It is a response to the real possibility of further harm. Another misconception is that survivors remain silent because they lack courage. The truth is that silence is often shaped by structural barriers. Stigma remains strong, and trust in formal response systems is low, particularly in underserved areas. Survivors are well aware that reporting does not guarantee protection or care. Many have seen or experienced how disclosure leads to questioning, judgment, or pressure to resolve cases privately. When support systems are weak, silence becomes a means of preserving stability in a context where stability is already fragile. There is also a widespread belief that justice begins and ends with legal action. While accountability is important, this narrow view ignores how trauma affects people in real time. For many survivors, justice begins with safety and stability. It begins with access to respectful healthcare, emotional support, and time to regain control underserved over Nigerian decisions. In many communities, such support remains scarce. Without psychosocial care and survivor‑centred services, legal processes can feel distant and overwhelming, even when laws exist on paper. THE TEA | 9
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