By Prosper Mene
In a landmark appointment that has Nigerians beaming with pride, Nabila Aguele has been named the next Chief Executive Officer of the Malala Fund. Effective April 1, 2026, she becomes the organisation’s first global CEO based in Nigeria — one of the Malala Fund’s priority countries and home to one of the world’s highest numbers of out-of-school girls.
Nabila Aguele, a proud Nigerian leader with deep roots in policy, advocacy, and sustainable development, currently serves as Chief Executive of Malala Fund Nigeria. Since joining in 2024, she has steered the country office with remarkable impact, overseeing nearly $3 million in grants to local education advocates and championing a civil society coalition that uses education as a powerful tool to end child marriage.
Her appointment follows a carefully planned leadership transition from outgoing CEO Lena Alfi, who served the organisation for nearly nine years (including three as CEO) and successfully launched the Malala Fund’s 2025–2030 strategy.
Nabila Aguele shared her excitement in a heartfelt statement:
“I am honoured to step into this role at such an important moment for girls’ education and for Malala Fund. Having grown within this organisation and led our work in Nigeria, I know the strength of this team, the ambition of our strategy and the power of our partnerships. Building on Lena’s leadership, I am committed to deepening our impact and ensuring that every girl can claim the education she deserves.”
Malala Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund and Executive Board Chair, praised the choice:
“Nabila is the leader this moment calls for. She brings deep policy and advocacy experience, trusted leadership within Malala Fund and a close understanding of what it takes to drive change for girls from the ground up. I am deeply grateful to Lena for guiding Malala Fund through an important period of transformation and helping build the foundation for this next chapter. I have every confidence in what Nabila and our team will achieve together.”
Ziauddin Yousafzai, co-founder and Board Member, added:
“I have seen Nabila’s leadership up close, and she brings a rare combination of wisdom, integrity and deep understanding of the realities girls face. She is the right leader to carry this work forward.”
With over 20 years of cross-sector experience spanning law, public policy, and international development in both Nigeria and the United States, Nabila previously served as Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning. In that role, she championed gender-responsive fiscal policies and played a key part in crafting the country’s Integrated National Financing Framework.
The Malala Fund, co-founded by Malala Yousafzai and her father Ziauddin, works relentlessly to ensure every girl can access and complete 12 years of quality education. Through grantmaking and bold advocacy, the organisation has awarded more than $9 million in grants in the past year alone to over 40 partners across 10 countries. In Nigeria specifically, it has invested over $7.8 million since 2014, with Nabila’s leadership further amplifying locally-driven solutions.
This appointment is not just a personal triumph for Nabila Aguele — it is a powerful statement of confidence in African leadership and the power of homegrown solutions to tackle global challenges. As Nigeria continues to produce world-class changemakers, her elevation to the helm of one of the most influential girls’ education organisations in the world fills every Nigerian heart with pride.
Congratulations, Nabila! The future of girls’ education just got a whole lot brighter with a Nigerian sister leading the charge.
