Today, we announce a leadership transition that honors our extraordinary growth while looking forward to a digital-first future and even greater impact in policy advocacy.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Ayomide Akindolie-Igwe as our incoming Executive Director, effective January 12, 2026. Ayomide is a seasoned leader whose expertise in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and the advancement of Small and Medium Enterprises will be instrumental as we scale our digital initiatives to reach 5 million Nigerians by 2030 and amplify our voice in policy advocacy.
This appointment comes as Adenike Adeyemi prepares to conclude her distinguished 10+year tenure as Executive Director on February 28, 2026. Under Adenike’s leadership, and through 3 successful successive multi-year strategic plans, FATE has become a regional powerhouse—reaching individuals across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Notably, she oversaw the strategic transition of our organization into three specialized divisions: the FATE School, the FATE Institute, and FATE Giving, ensuring a holistic approach to entrepreneurship support as we expanded into research, policy advocacy, access to capital, digital and AI growth and so much more.
To ensure a seamless succession, Adenike and Ayomide have been working together during this transition period. This collaborative handover will focus on deepening stakeholder relationships and ensuring the continued execution of our 2024-2029 strategic plan.
We thank Adenike for her tireless service and invite you to join us in welcoming Ayomide as she takes the baton to lead FATE Foundation into its next decade of impact.
Sincerely,
Fola Adeola, Founder & Chairman of the Board, FATE Foundation