A Deep Sense of Responsibility and Purpose
Her Excellency, Ambassador Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria, exemplifies unwavering dedication to public service, uplifting the lives of women, youth and children, and visionary leadership. As the Founder of the Ajike People Support Center and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum, she brings a profound sense of responsibility, passion, and purpose to her multifaceted roles.
Her Excellency’s commitment to serving the people of Kwara State and Nigeria is deeply rooted in her love for humanity and her conviction to make a positive impact. She believes in the potential of every individual to effect change and is dedicated to leveraging her platforms to drive progress. Her awareness of the concerns of Nigerians inspired the creation of the Ajike People Support Center, an initiative that has positively impacted countless lives through collaboration with organizations and public-spirited individuals. “As the First Lady of Kwara State North Central Nigeria, Founder Ajike People Support Center and Chairperson Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, I am driven by a deep sense of responsibility, passion and purpose to serve the people of Kwara State and indeed Nigeria,” she shares.
Transformative Leadership in the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum
In her role as Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum, Her Excellency has led transformative initiatives. Initially formed as Nigeria Governors Wives Against Gender-Based Violence, the forum has played a pivotal role in addressing the surge of gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their advocacy led to the declaration of a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Nigeria and the adoption of protective laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. This significant achievement marks a victory for women, girls, and children throughout the country.
“The spike in incidents of gender-based violence during the outbreak of COVID-19 informed amplified advocacies by members of the Nigeria Governors Wives Against Gender Based Violence to stem the tide. This development led to the declaration of State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender Based Violence across the 36 States of the Federation,” Her Excellency explains.
Under her leadership, the forum has also championed women’s inclusion in politics and governance, resulting in increased female representation in the Kwara State executive council and the implementation of 35% gender inclusion across all sectors in the state. These initiatives have greatly contributed to the empowerment and welfare of communities nationwide. “For me, this is a win for every Nigerian woman, girl, and child as these protective laws are now being expanded to promote gender equality,” she emphasizes.
The Vision and Impact of the Ajike People Support Centre
The Ajike People Support Centre is a testament to Her Excellency’s compassionate leadership. With a vision to empower vulnerable populations, including women, children, youth, and the elderly, the Centre provides a wide range of services such as food, healthcare, education, and skills training. Since its inception, the Centre has profoundly impacted the lives of those it serves, offering nutritional support, healthcare services, educational assistance, and economic empowerment programs to tens of thousands of individuals.
“The vision for the Ajike People Support Centre was borne out of my passion for empowering vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, youth, and the elderly. As the First Lady of Kwara State, I have had the privilege of interacting with various communities, listening to their stories, and understanding their challenges,” Her Excellency shares. The Centre also serves as a hub for community outreach and engagement, bringing stakeholders together to address critical social issues. Beyond statistics, the true impact of the Ajike People Support Centre lies in the transformation of lives, empowerment of families, and strengthening of communities.
Her Excellency’s compassionate leadership is evident in the Centre’s comprehensive approach. “Since its inception, the Ajike People Support Centre has had a profound impact on the lives of those it serves. We have been able to provide food and nutritional support, healthcare services, including maternal and child healthcare, educational support, including scholarships and literacy programs, and skills training and economic empowerment programs to tens of thousands of people,” she explains.
Addressing Urgent Issues Facing Women and Children
Her Excellency is acutely aware of the challenges facing women and children in Nigeria, including gender-based violence, limited access to education, economic disempowerment, and health concerns. While the government addresses these issues, she remains dedicated to sustaining initiatives that promote the well-being and empowerment of women, children, and youth. Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, skills training, and economic empowerment programs, she complements government efforts and amplifies the impact of her interventions.
“As an advocate for women’s, yiuth’s and children’s empowerment and welfare, I am deeply concerned about the numerous challenges they face. Some of the most urgent issues include gender-based violence, limited access to education, economic empowerment, and health,” Her Excellency says. Her initiatives is addressing these challenges comprehensively, creating a positive impact on the lives of those she serves.
Influences of Academic and Diplomatic Background on Governance
Her distinguished academic and diplomatic background has significantly influenced her governance approach. Her educational pursuits have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of governance, economic development, and social coherence, enabling her to devise effective strategies to address the unique challenges in Kwara State.
“My academic and diplomatic background has significantly influenced my approach to governance, particularly in uplifting the people. Through my educational pursuits, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of governance, economic development, and social coherence,” Her Excellency explains. Her international experience has broadened her perspective, allowing her to learn from best practices and adapt them to local contexts. She is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Kwara State and indeed Nigeria. By implementing Business-Enabling Reform Action Plans, she aims to streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and foster a conducive business environment that attracts investments, creates jobs, and stimulates economic growth. Additionally, she is passionate about empowering youth and promoting their participation in the political process, harnessing their enthusiasm and energy to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
“In Kwara State, we are committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. Our Business-Enabling Reform Action Plans are designed to streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and foster a more conducive business environment in the state,” she says.
Vision for Women’s Future in Nigerian Leadership
Her Excellency envisions a future of equality, inclusivity, and empowerment for women in Nigerian leadership. She believes that women should have equal opportunities to participate in politics, hold leadership positions, and contribute to decision-making processes. Her vision is grounded in the belief that women’s participation is essential for sustainable development, social justice, and ensuring that all citizens’ needs and perspectives are considered.
“My vision for the future of women in Nigerian leadership is one of equality, inclusivity, and empowerment. I believe that women should have equal opportunities to participate in politics, hold leadership positions, and contribute to decision-making processes,” Her Excellency says. She supports increased women’s representation in elected and appointed positions, promotes women’s economic empowerment, addresses sexual and gender-based violence, and encourages mentorship. Through sustained advocacy and engagement, she is dedicated to creating a future where women play pivotal roles in Nigeria’s development and progress, as equal partners in decision-making, with their perspectives and experiences valued and respected.
Her Excellency’s dedication to gender equality is evident in her advocacy efforts. “Through these engagements and sustained advocacies, it is my sincere belief that we are creating a future where women are best positioned to play more pivotal roles in Nigeria’s development and progress,” she emphasizes.
Message of Encouragement to Women
Her Excellency encourages women to believe in themselves and their abilities, to embrace resilience, and to stay focused on their goals. She emphasizes the importance of learning from setbacks, surrounding oneself with supportive people, and sharing knowledge to contribute to community development.
“My message would be to encourage and inspire women in their respective spaces to strive for excellence and make meaningful impact in their communities and the world. Hold the belief in themselves and their abilities dearly, because they have so much to offer,” she advises. She further highlights the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles. “Embrace resilience as it is key to overcoming obstacles and staying focused on their goals. Remember that every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow,” she adds.
Aspirations for the Future
Looking to the future, Her Excellency aspires to continue making a lasting impact in Kwara State and beyond. She envisions Kwara State as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social progress, where everyone has access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Her focus on mentorship and leadership development aims to inspire the next generation of leaders, while her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices seeks to promote equality and inclusion.
“As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue making a lasting impact in Kwara State and beyond. For the state, my aspirations are centered around sustainable development and empowerment,” she says. To achieve this, she plans to focus on mentorship and leadership development, inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders to drive positive change in their communities. “I also aim to complement the efforts of government to further strengthen our education system, ensuring that every child in Kwara State has access to quality learning opportunities that prepare them for success,” she adds.
On a personal note, Her Excellency is committed to ongoing learning and self-improvement. “As a leader, mentor, and advocate, I am committed to ongoing learning and self-improvement, staying up-to-date with the latest research, trends, and best practices in leadership and development,” she shares. Her passion for amplifying marginalized voices and promoting equality and inclusion drives her mission to create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond Kwara State.
A Powerful Message to the Global Community
As an influential leader, Her Excellency calls on the global community to recognize and empower African women, acknowledging their resilience, creativity, and determination. She highlights the integral role of African women as agents of change, drivers of innovation, and architects of a prosperous, inclusive, and transformative future.
“African women, you will agree with me, are the backbone of our communities, the pillars of our societies, and the driving force behind the continent’s growth and development. Women are the farmers who feed families, the entrepreneurs who create jobs, the caregivers who nurture our children, and the leaders who shape our futures,” she asserts.
Her Excellency’s powerful message emphasizes the unique contributions of African women to their communities and the broader world. “As African women, we possess a unique blend of resilience, creativity, and determination. We are the guardians of our cultural heritage, the champions of our children’s education, and the catalysts for our communities’ development,” she continues.
She calls on the global community to recognize and invest in the education, entrepreneurship, and leadership of African women. “We are not just recipients of aid or beneficiaries of charity. We are agents of change, drivers of innovation, and architects of a prosperous, inclusive, and transformative future. So, I call on the global community to recognize, respect, and empower African women, invest in our education, our entrepreneurship, and our leadership, amplify our voices, celebrate our achievements, and support our aspirations towards creating a future where African women are empowered to shape the world,” she concludes.
Her Excellency, Ambassador Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq’s unwavering commitment to public service, transformative leadership, and visionary governance makes her an inspirational figure shaping excellence in Nigeria in 2025. Her dedication to empowering communities, addressing urgent issues facing women and children, and promoting good governance continues to drive positive change and inspire future generations.