Inner City Mission Marks 20 Years Of Humanitarian Impact Across 132 Countries

The Inner City Mission for Children has commenced activities to mark

its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of humanitarian work that has impacted vulnerable children and families in more than 132 countries across six continents.

Founded on December 31, 2005, by Reverend Chris Oyakhilome with the guiding conviction that “every child is your child,” the faith-based development organization has grown from a single vision into a global movement addressing poverty, hunger, and educational inequality.

Speaking at a press conference to formally launch the anniversary celebrations, the Director of the Inner City Mission, Mrs. Omoh Alabi, reflected on the organisation’s journey over the past two decades, describing it as a transition from emergency response to the building of sustainable social infrastructure.

“Today, we gather not merely to mark the passage of time, but to bear witness to progress in motion,” she said.

According to figures presented by the organizers, the Inner City Mission has distributed more than 13 billion meals worldwide through community kitchens, food banks, and school feeding programmes.

The organisation has also established 19 completely free schools across seven countries on three continents, with four additional schools currently under construction. In addition, over 5,000 learning centres have been created within communities where at-risk children live.

Beyond child-focused interventions, the mission has extended its reach to women and families. Through its Women Economic Empowerment Initiative, more than three million households have been supported as women gained access to skills, resources, and sustainable livelihoods.

The organisation has also provided food support and spiritual care to over 3,116 orphanages globally.

“We moved beyond relief to assistance,” Mrs. Alabi said, noting that the organisation has built partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, corporate organisations, faith bodies, and the media.

As part of its anniversary roadmap, the Inner City Mission announced plans to establish 100 free mission schools globally within the next year, expanding its footprint in Nigeria, other African countries, as well as South and Central America.

A major highlight of the anniversary year is the launch of the “20 Million Good Deeds Campaign,” which will focus on capital projects including schools, learning centres, women’s economic empowerment campuses, and food banks. Partners and supporters have been encouraged to register through the organisation’s website to sponsor or participate in the campaign.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Christine Okechukwu, who represented the Chairman, Reverend Tom Amenkhienan, described the milestone as a “victory lap” rather than an end.

“Our 20th anniversary is only a victory lap,” she said. “But millions of children are still hungry, displaced, uneducated and unseen. And as long as this reality remains, our work must not only continue — it must multiply.”

Okechukwu highlighted the organisation’s systemic approach to humanitarian intervention, stressing that the Inner City Mission goes beyond charity to create lasting change.

“Somewhere today, a child woke up unsure of their next meal,” she said. “Somewhere today, a mother wondered if education would ever be possible. Yet somewhere today, hope arrived — not as charity, but as a system designed to change outcomes. That is why the Inner City Mission exists.”

She also paid tribute to the organisation’s founder for his vision and guidance over the years.

“I’m deeply grateful to our man of God, Pastor Chris, for the opportunity he’s given to me to serve,” Okechukwu said. “Thank you, Pastor, for entrusting us with this sacred mission that determines the destinies of millions of indigents on a daily basis.”

The organisation also highlighted the scale of its recent feeding campaigns. In 2023, it exceeded its one-billion-meal target by delivering 1.1 billion meals worldwide. Despite rising food prices, the 2024 campaign recorded over 4.5 billion meals distributed, while the 2025 campaign surpassed its seven-billion-meal target with 7.3 billion meals delivered.

The Inner City Mission credited its achievements to sustained collaboration with partners, donors, churches, and volunteers around the world.

“To our partners, donors, churches, and volunteer workforce across the world, thank you for carrying this mission with excellence and compassion,” Mrs. Alabi said.

The organisation is calling on individuals and institutions to serve as ambassadors for vulnerable children, connect underserved orphanages to its network, and support school construction projects.

As it enters its third decade, the Inner City Mission reaffirmed its founding vision that no child should be overlooked.

“Millions of children remain hungry, displaced, uneducated, and unseen,” Okechukwu said. “May it be said that we did not merely celebrate 20 years, but that we used this milestone to multiply impact for generations to come.”

Anniversary activities are expected to continue throughout the year, showcasing the stories, systems, and partnerships that have shaped two decades of humanitarian work.