The Close the Gap Nigeria project will be taking place in about 15 communities in rural Nigeria. The state coordinators for the project have done their community mapping and have selected communities where the project will be implemented. Advocacy to gatekeepers have commenced and it has been an impressive and exciting experience for us. Although not all the communities have been visited, like Plateau state where we have a little crisis, we have to wait for peace to be restored before we do our advocacy, while some state coordinators have not made a choice of communities, like cross river, nassarawa and Lagos state.

An innovative aspect of our approach is that we are working in partnership with community based organizations and they have been very supportive. Below is a list of the communities we would be working, the coordinator and partner organization.

- In Delta state, Mr. Emeka Okonta will be leading the team to Mile 5 fishing community between Anwai and Ugbolu in Oshimili south Local Government Area. The youth age group association “OKWULAGWE” will be working in partnership with GYCA.
- Mr. Emma Olaoti will be coordinating activities in kwara state. The project will take place in oke-oyi oja community of Ilorin East LGA and will be working in partnership with Royal Convenant Heritage.
- Miss Onoja Ruth is in charge of the project in Plateau state. She will be working in Gyel community with over a thousand youth of which 55% are not educated and are not concerned about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and STI's in Jos south LGA in partnership with Legion of Mary St. Jarlaths Catholic Church.
- Mr. Ebuenyi Ikenna will implement Close the Gap in Umuna community in Orlu LGA of Imo state in partnership with Matilda Onyejinwa Foundation, Orlu Local Action Committee on AIDS and NYSC.
- Mr. Kazeem Balogun is leading the team in Ekiti state and will be working in Ilawe-Ekiti and will partner with Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO)
- Mr. Unyime-Abasi Ben is coordinating the Akwa Ibom team.
- Mr. Yerima Daniel will oversee the project activities in Nassarawa state and will be working in Kurmi Tagwaye/Gaji in Akwanga LGA.
- Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke will be working in Anambra state in Nanka MbaukwuLugbe community.
- Mr. Olumide Idowu will be implementing the project in Abuja in gwagwalada community

Other states will be sending in their community mapping report at a later date. This project promises to be an exciting experience working in rural communities with young people who are ready to learn.
I on behalf of the project team will appeal to GYCA members and other young people working on HIV & AIDS and other RH issues in these areas to assist our state coordinators in mobilizing all the resources they might need. We appreciate your kind gestures!