Webs of Support Nigeria

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About Paul Iwok

Paul Philip Iwok is a Nigerian youth development professional, author, and lead facilitator of the Integrative Youth Development (IYD) Web of Support Program in Nigeria. He is the author of The Journey of a Houseboy to Significance, a book that shares his personal story and inspires young people to overcome challenges and pursue meaningful lives. His book was adopted by the Akwa Ibom State Ethical and Attitudinal Re-orientation Commission (EARCOM) in the campaign against the houseboy syndrome in 2013.

Paul teaches the IYD Web of Support model in schools, faith communities, rural communities, and government departments across Nigeria. He holds a Professional Certificate in Integrative Youth Development Web of Support from Agora College in the United States and is a certified Youth Developmental Ecologist.

Alongside his wife, Aniekan Paul Iwok, he holds the practicing license for the IYD Web of Support Program in Nigeria. Their work focuses on addressing the social and emotional challenges faced by children, teenagers, young adults, and their “Anchoring Adults” by building strong webs of support around them.

His autobiography, The Journey of a Houseboy to Significance, draws from his seven years as a domestic servant in a foster family in Lagos, Nigeria. The book challenges the stigma surrounding the “houseboy syndrome” in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and across Africa. It has inspired many young people to change their mindset and chart new paths toward thriving and success.

As the lead facilitator of IYD in Nigeria, Paul organizes seminars, workshops, and training programs for children, youth, families, teachers, faith leaders, and rural community leaders. His work also extends to international collaboration.

In 2006, he facilitated training for senior government officials from Akwa Ibom State at the University of Yorkshire, England, hosted by the British Association for the Study of Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN).

In 2013, he led another delegation to Chicago, USA, for the Web of Support Certificate training program. Later, he and his wife hosted American educator Kathrine Thompson-Stone, who toured Nigerian communities for three weeks to deliver training workshops and inaugurate the Web of Support Program in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.

Paul and Aniekan were formally commissioned as Nigeria’s “Web of Support Foot Soldiers.” In recognition of his community service, Paul was honored in 1999 by the Soluyi traditional ruling council with the traditional title, “Amuludun” of Soluyi Community, Gbagada, Lagos. Meaning someone who illuminates the community, for his role in bringing the first Multilinks Telecentre services to the area. Paul is happily married to Aniekan, and together they are raising three children: Pauline, Harmony, and Destiny.

About Aniekan Paul Iwok

Aniekan Paul Iwok is a trained caterer and an inspiring leader with a deep passion for helping children, teenagers, and young adults grow and thrive. She is a strong pillar of the Integrative Youth Development (IYD) Web of Support Program in Nigeria, working alongside her husband to promote its ideals and impact. As a servant leader, she has mastered the fundamentals of the IYD Web of Support metrics and actively teaches young people how to apply these principles in their lives.

After high school, Aniekan volunteered with several NGOs focused on children and youth development. She has always loved being in spaces where children gather, regardless of their background. She also managed the UK Kiddies Nursery & Primary School in Ifako-Gbagada, Lagos for more than two years, stepping in at a time when the school needed an empathetic and effective leader.

Aniekan has received training on domestic violence prevention through Project Alert on Violence Against Women, supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). Her own challenging experiences growing up as a child, teenager, and young adult have fueled her passion for empowering youth. She works tirelessly to help them build sustainable webs of support with the help of responsible adults, so they can become more resilient and achieve their goals.

She is also a certified Youth Developmental Ecologist through Agora College in the United States. Inspired by the visit of American educator Kathrine Thompson-Stone to Nigeria in 2019, Aniekan dreams of establishing an academy for children in Nigeria, a vision she believes nothing can stop her from fulfilling.

Aniekan is happily married to Paul Philip Iwok, and together they are raising three wonderful children: Pauline, Harmony, and Destiny.