Artina Yaro West
A Visionary in Education, Media, and Tourism.
Born in June 1985, Artina Yaro West is a dynamic leader whose career spans education, journalism, broadcasting, banking, tourism, and a hint of law. With a passion for knowledge and exploration, she has dedicated her life to bridging the gap between assumptions and reality. Raised on stories of ancient empires, and scientific wonders, Artina believes true knowledge lies in discovering– in experience.
Her journey began at age 19, working as a paralegal in her mother's law firm while volunteering as a teacher at Holy Family Missionary School, where she taught French, and dance choreography. Later, she ventured into the banking sector, working with the then All States Trust Bank, gaining valuable experience in finance and strategic management.
A graduate of Nottingham Trent and Benue State University, her love for storytelling and discovery led her to journalism. She became a tourism correspondent for the Abuja Inquirer newspaper. With a razor-sharp intellect and fearless approach, Artina’s career trajectory soared, spanning broadcast journalism, documentary film making, and anchoring high-profile interviews at ITV (The Independent Television). At ITV, she conducted high-profile interviews with governors, senators, and diplomats, navigating the corridors of power with ease. Her ability to tell compelling stories and engage with influential figures set her apart in the media industry. Yet, it was her unrelenting thirst for knowledge and exploration that ultimately led her to a defining purpose: creating life-changing experiences that inspire the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
Now, as founder and CEO of CheckWorld, Artina is revolutionizing how young minds perceive the world, fostering a deeper understanding of its complexities, diversity, and infinite possibilities. She is reimagining educational tourism, empowering students to become informed and engaged global citizens.
Vision
for the
Future
Artina envisions CheckWorld as a gateway to boundless possibilities, driven by a visionary quest, She founded CheckWorld, to feed curiosity, challenge assumptions, foster global awareness and in so doing empower young people.
As a frequent speaker at educational forums and symposia, she passionately advocated for a more expansive approach to education, insisting that students needed to be well-versed through expeditions and explorations of the world. She believed that by providing answers to their most pressing questions about the world and the universe, young minds could develop a rich, encyclopedic knowledge, become global citizens, well-informed and equipped to tackle global challenges.
In an exclusive interview with The Abuja Inquirer, Ms. West had this to say:
"I've seen firsthand the transformative power of exploration and its profound impact on our understanding of the world. When we venture into new environments, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and experience the world around us, it broadens our horizons and deepens our understanding of the world and its complexities. And if we are privileged to look at it through the right lens, it develops in us an appreciation for global diversity.
That's why I'm passionate about CheckWorld's mission. We're not trying to revolutionize traditional education, although that would be a marvel. Our goal is to educate young people about the world they live in, to equip them to become encyclopedically versed.
Let’s face it; whether we're talking about world peace, social justice, or environmental sustainability, it all starts with globally aware minds. And at CheckWorld, we believe young people are capable of grasping complex issues, which is why our programs are designed to help participants build comprehensive knowledge across cultures, histories, sciences, and global systems. If we plant the seeds of global knowledge and empathy, they'll grow into socially responsible individuals who value diversity, not just tolerate it. And if we do it right– if we broaden their horizons, they’ll change everything. So, whether you're a sponsor, school, an organization, group, community, or nation, the question remains: if we don't do this, who will? The truth is, ignorance breeds fear, and fear builds walls. But understanding breeds empathy, and empathy builds bridges. Children who aren't exposed to the world beyond their borders grow up with narrow views. But here’s one truth above all: only through real-world experiences, expeditions, do children begin to truly understand that the world, besides being vast, is complex and profoundly diverse. And it is in the acknowledgment and respect of that diversity and complexity that true and positive change for all lies. CheckWorld is a response to that truth."