Founder's Message

Growing up in Africa, I have seen both the brilliance of our people and the weight of challenges that too often silence potential before it ever has a chance to shine. I have seen children go to bed hungry, not because they lack ambition, but because they lack food. I have met young minds eager to learn, but held back by classrooms without teachers, schools without resources, and families without means.

These are not just statistics. They are real people — our brothers, sisters, and neighbors. They are the future of this continent. And when dignity is stripped away by hunger or the absence of opportunity, progress becomes impossible. This is why we built OED Foundation: to restore dignity by meeting the most fundamental needs — food, education, and opportunity. Because without nutrition, a child cannot learn. Without education, a dream cannot survive. And without opportunity, a generation cannot rise.

Our vision is bold: to impact and uplift 5 million lives across Africa by 2030. This is not just a number to us — it is a commitment. Every meal provided, every classroom supported, every opportunity created moves us closer to an Africa where no one is left behind. But I know one truth deeply: we cannot do this alone. Transforming lives requires all of us — governments, businesses, communities, and individuals — working hand in hand. The story of Africa's progress must be written together, because empowerment multiplies when it is shared.

The journey ahead is long, but it is one we embrace with hope. With every partner who joins us, with every hand that gives, with every life transformed, we take one more step toward the Africa we all believe in — a continent where dignity is restored, dreams are nurtured, and opportunities abound. This is the legacy we are building. And I invite you to be part of it.

Olusegun Enitan Dada

Founder, OED Foundation