About ZDI
Zaza Development Initiative (ZDI), derived from the Hebrew word Zaza, meaning Belonging to All, Movement, and Light, was founded on a deeply transformative experience.
The vision for ZDI was conceived by our founder, Zigwai Tagwai, during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posting in Ugba, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Immersed in a community with realities vastly different from her own, she encountered urgent social challenges including child marriage, rising substance abuse among young people, environmental degradation caused by improper waste disposal, erosion threatening homes and livelihoods, and a shortage of qualified and patient teachers for children facing language barriers.
The Discovery
Yet within these challenges, she also discovered possibility — a community of young Nigerians eager to collaborate, innovate, and create meaningful change. Through community development groups, she witnessed firsthand how collective action could transform lives. This experience sparked a movement rooted in empathy, shared responsibility, and the belief that sustainable development is possible when people feel seen, valued, and equipped to thrive.
the growth
Over the years, Zaza Development Initiative (ZDI) has grown into a youth- and women-led organization committed to advancing gender equality, leadership development, civic participation, community resilience, and social justice across Nigeria. We design and implement strategic, community-driven programmes that address systemic inequalities, expand access to essential services, and elevate the voices of women, girls, and marginalized groups.
OUR RECENT OUTREACH (UNBROKEN)
Zaza Development Initiative (ZDI)
Zaza Development Initiative (ZDI) is a youth- and women-led organization committed to advancing gender equality, leadership development, civic participation, community resilience, and social justice across Nigeria.
Contact Information
- Phone: +2348137926509
- Email: info@zazadevelopment.org
- Address:Abuja, Nigeria