Using Words for Justice: Mustapha’s Journey into Activism and Writing 

Meet our writing magician, Mustapha Lawal, a Nigerian storyteller and activist at heart. His passion for justice and activism was born in childhood, watching his father walk out the door to defend the democracy of his country. That commitment and courage left a permanent imprint on him. 

Writing became the way Mustapha processed the surroundings around him, expressed his truth, and carried forward the activist spirit he grew up with. Today, he writes to make the world a kinder, safer place for all – where empathy isn’t rare, justice isn’t distant, and small acts of compassion ripple into meaningful change. Let’s get a glimpse of his journey so far:

Please introduce yourself to our audience. Where are you from, what’s your passion, what keeps you up at night?

I come from a very closely knit family in Nigeria. Growing up with two siblings, my earliest understanding of courage and activism came from watching my dad fight to establish democracy in our country. I still remember the fear that hung in the air whenever he left home to stand at the frontlines. I missed him deeply, but those moments also shaped who I am today and I’m really grateful for it. His conviction became my compass. He remains my greatest role model, and much of what I do today is rooted in the activist spirit I inherited from him.

What brought you to writing?

I’ve always been a curious child, constantly observing, asking questions, and mentally collecting little pieces of the world around me. I was fascinated by how relationships worked, why people behaved the way they did, and what shaped different perspectives.

I think I picked up writing as a regular hobby when I went to my senior secondary school. It was a boarding school and I started doing journaling there. That habit stuck. Later, during my undergraduate years, I became a campus journalist, reporting on university events and issues. Not because I aspired to be a journalist but from my interest in writing. 

“Writing gave me clarity. It helped me make sense of the world, and honestly it still does.”

Please share about your work experiences so far.

Over the years, I’ve worked in different fields, including ed-tech, social justice, women’s empowerment, and youth development. A major highlight of my journey has been my work with Fact Check Africa, where I debunk misinformation and disinformation. It’s meaningful work, especially in a world where truth is constantly challenged.

How did you start your journey with Spring ACT?

I got to know about Spring ACT through LinkedIn. I was actually researching global social justice platforms where I could potentially volunteer and I came across this long list that included Spring ACT as well. 

Seeing AI is being used to tackle domestic abuse piqued my interest. Because in the past whenever people from my network would share about their experiences of facing domestic abuse, I would not know what to say. I would only listen to them but had no idea how to lead them towards support. So when I found out what Spring ACT does with Chatbot Sophia, I felt I found a way to support by raising awareness about the cause and the work. That’s how it all started and I have been actively involved in advocacy and communications of Spring ACT since then.

What are your key takeaways from this experience?

It has been quite eye-opening. I always saw domestic abuse to be an issue in Nigeria, but I had never looked at it through the lens of a global crisis. Working with Spring ACT showed me its scale, its patterns, and the fact that it exists everywhere, in every community.

What amazes me most is how Chatbot Sophia uses technology to make help accessible, anytime, anywhere. Before Chatbot Sophia, when people confided in me, I had no idea how to help, but now, I can guide them correctly, find reliable information, and even lead them to resources based on their locations. 

“Sophia definitely makes support closer, clearer, and safer.”

With AI how we write is changing. What’s your thought on it and how do you integrate it into your writing?

There have been a lot of transformations around us and AI is one of them. I’m personally a strong advocate for using AI because it definitely makes the process faster and easier. However I am also very particular about ensuring that the different contexts, voices and framings are taken into account while writing. So I essentially use it as an assistant but not as a tool that does everything for me. So, if I am writing a piece on a topic, I would make my first draft and then use AI to improve it further. I always emphasise to ensure the heart of my writing stays mine.

What and who are your inspirations for writing?

My biggest inspiration is my dad. His activism, his sacrifices, his dedication to justice laid the direction for me. I often wish I could document everything he did! 

Beyond that, I draw inspiration from everyday life – my environment, conversations, and the stories unfolding around me. I also follow the works of Nigerian writers and some of their writings always leaves me in awe. I consume content across formats and let it shape how I express myself. 

“To me, writing is lifelong learning.”

What do you find to be challenging in this role?

Domestic abuse is a deeply sensitive issue. Every word matters. Sometimes even a misplaced punctuation mark can change meaning or trigger someone reading it. 

So I write with heightened care and responsibility. My goal is to raise awareness, not cause harm. That’s the balance I consciously hold every time I write on this topic.

What’s your vision of an injustice-free world? 

I live by the mantra of this famous Founder: “It’s possible to do great things even from a small place.”

So for me,

“An injustice-free world starts with empathy.” 

When we care for the person next to us, about our surroundings, we create small ripples of change. And when those ripples multiply, communities transform. That’s my vision for an injustice-free world.

What would be your words of advice for aspiring/upcoming writers 

Get what you have on your head and start writing. We all have ideas, thoughts, topics we want to talk about and we experience zillions of things around us. Take them all in, don’t wait for the perfect moment. You can always come back and refine but get started whenever you have something to write about. 

To dive into Mustapha’s world of words and stories, visit: https://mustaphalawal.substack.com/

 

– Written by Ahona Azad Choyti