Nabila Aguele Becomes First Global CEO of Malala Fund Based in Nigeria
Nabila Aguele has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Malala Fund, marking a significant milestone for the organisation. This appointment makes her the first global CEO to be based in Nigeria, one of Malala Fund's key focus countries. Aguele has been with the organisation since 2024, serving as the Chief Executive of Malala Fund Nigeria, where she led advocacy efforts and grantmaking, directing nearly $3 million to local education advocates and supporting a civil society coalition focused on ending child marriage through education.
Malala Fund has continued to expand its reach, awarding over $9 million in grants in the past year alone to organisations across 10 countries working to advance and protect girls' education. Aguele expressed her commitment to deepening the organisation's impact, ensuring that every girl can claim the education she deserves. She brings over two decades of experience across law, policy, and international development in both Nigeria and the United States to the role.
Malala Yousafzai, co-founder and Executive Board Chair of Malala Fund, sees Aguele as the right person to carry the organisation's vision forward. Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala Fund's co-founder and board member, has also expressed his confidence in Aguele's leadership, citing her rare combination of wisdom, integrity, and deep understanding of the realities girls face.
As Aguele steps into the role, Lena Alfi prepares to close out nearly nine years with the organisation, including the last three as CEO. Alfi has been instrumental in leading Malala Fund through a period of steady growth and restructuring, including the rollout of the organisation's 2025-2030 strategy and the distribution of $32.5 million in grants globally.
The transition has been in motion for a while, following a succession process initiated by Alfi and supported by the organisation's board and leadership team. It comes at a time when Malala Fund is leaning into its long-term strategy, with Aguele set to continue steering that vision forward.
When Nabila Aguele says she is committed to deepening Malala Fund's impact, that means she is prioritising the most vulnerable girls in Nigeria and beyond. By taking the reins as the first global CEO based in Nigeria, Aguele sends a strong signal that the organisation is committed to addressing the unique challenges girls face in the country. This appointment marks a significant moment for girls' education in Nigeria and globally, and it will be interesting to see how Aguele leverages her experience to drive change.
