In September, FAWE Nigeria will celebrate thirty years of unwavering commitment, action, and impact in advancing girls’ and women’s education, leadership, and empowerment across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The landmark anniversary, celebrated under the jubilant banner *“30 ans, ça se célèbre !”* (Thirty years, worth celebrating!), will bring together stakeholders, partners, alumni, government officials, and beneficiaries to honour a legacy of transformative change and to chart the course for the decades ahead.
Since its establishment in 1994, FAWE Nigeria has worked at the forefront of gender equality in education, implementing innovative programmes that have expanded access to schooling for thousands of girls, trained teachers in gender-responsive pedagogy, established Tuseme clubs that amplify girls’ voices, and advocated for policies that dismantle barriers to female participation at all levels of the education system. Over three decades, the chapter has grown into a trusted partner of the Government of Nigeria, civil society organizations, international development agencies, and community leaders, consistently demonstrating that investing in girls’ education yields dividends not only for individuals but for entire families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
The upcoming celebration in September will serve as both a moment of deep reflection and a powerful recommitment to the mission ahead. FAWE Nigeria intends to showcase the milestones achieved over thirty years—from increased school enrolment and retention rates for girls, to the emergence of confident young women leaders who now occupy spaces in politics, science, technology, business, and academia. The event will also provide a platform to honour the visionary founders, dedicated educators, committed volunteers, and strategic partners who made this journey possible, while engaging a new generation of advocates who will carry the torch forward.
FAWE Nigeria’s three-decade journey has been marked by resilience in the face of persistent challenges, including child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, gender-based violence, cultural norms limiting girls’ aspirations, and regional disparities in educational access. Through strategic advocacy, community mobilisation, school-based interventions, and direct programme implementation, the chapter has helped shift mindsets and create tangible pathways for girls to not only attend school but to excel, lead, and transform their societies. The chapter’s work under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme and other strategic partnerships has further strengthened its capacity to deliver impact at scale. As the countdown to September begins, FAWE Nigeria extends an open invitation to all friends, partners, supporters, and well-wishers to join in celebrating this historic milestone. The chapter reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the next thirty years of action, innovation, advocacy, and dedication to the girls and young women of Nigeria. *Prenez le rendez-vous* — mark the date and be part of a celebration of progress, perseverance, and the promise of a more equal and empowered future for every Nigerian girl.