WASHINGTON, D.C.– Nabila Aguele has actually been designated the next Chief Executive Officer of Malala Fund, the organisation announced on Tuesday, marking the very first time a Nigeria-based leader will head the global ladies’ education nonprofit.
Aguele, who currently serves as President of Malala Fund Nigeria, will assume the brand-new function on April 1, 2026, following an organized leadership shift. She succeeds Lena Alfi, who has led the organisation for almost nine years, consisting of the previous 3 as CEO.
Her appointment comes as Malala Fund increases its concentrate on nations with high varieties of out-of-school girls, including Nigeria, which stays one of its concern regions for grantmaking and advocacy.
In her existing role, Aguele has actually managed almost $3 million in grants to local education supporters and supported a civil society coalition advancing education as a strategy to end kid marital relationship.
“I am honored to step into this function at such a crucial minute for girls’ education and for Malala Fund,” Aguele said in a declaration. “Having actually grown within this company and led our operate in Nigeria, I know the strength of this group, the aspiration of our method and the power of our collaborations.”
She included that she would focus on deepening the organisation’s impact and making sure that girls are able to access and finish their education.
Management Transition
The shift follows a succession procedure initiated by Alfi and supported by Malala Fund’s board and management team.
Under Alfi’s management, the organisation released its 2025– 2030 strategic plan, expanded its international advocacy efforts and dispersed $32.5 million in grants to partners working to advance women’ education worldwide.
“It has actually been an honor to serve Malala Fund for almost 9 years,” Alfi said. “Nabila is an exceptional leader who has actually shown what it suggests to center girls’ requirements, drive policy modification and develop with vision and care.”
Malala Fund said Aguele will continue supervising the application of the organisation’s long-lasting method in her brand-new function.
Worldwide Endorsement
Responding to the consultation, co-founder and Executive Board Chair Malala Yousafzai described Aguele as a leader well suited for the minute.
“Nabila is the leader this moment requires,” Yousafzai said. “She brings deep policy and advocacy experience, relied on management within Malala Fund and a close understanding of what it takes to drive modification for ladies from the ground up.”
Co-founder and board member Ziauddin Yousafzai also commended both leaders, noting that Alfi’s tenure brought stability and growth to the organisation while expressing self-confidence in Aguele’s capability to lead its next stage.
The Fund’s US Board Chair and a towering education figure in Nigeria’s education ecosystem, a member of the committee that supervised the organisational shift stated, “n the ~ 3 years that I have actually chaired the United States board of Malala Fund, this transition is unquestionably among my proudest moments and I provide credit to the deep commitment to trigger that Lena Alfi and Nabila Aguele Lena Alfi and have actually revealed as visible custodians of Malala Fund’s worths. I likewise acknowledge and honor the wisdom and assistance of a really committed board and the tireless work of an excellent executive leadership team.
Assessing my management journey, I’ve come to understand that when succession preparation is embedded as part of organisational practice, management shifts require not be interrupted, nor do they require to be cold and medical. When these moments of change present with candidates that already care about the vision, the process of transition seems like such an unique gift.”
Funding and Effect
In the previous year alone, Malala Fund reported awarding more than $9 million in grants to over 40 organisations working to advance ladies’ education across 10 nations.
The organisation works through a combination of advocacy and grantmaking to expand access to 12 years of complimentary, safe and quality education for ladies worldwide.
Background
Aguele brings over 20 years of experience spanning law, public law and global development across Nigeria and the United States.
Before signing up with Malala Fund, she served as a Special Consultant to Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Spending Plan and National Planning, where she championed gender-responsive fiscal policies and added to the advancement of Nigeria’s Integrated National Financing Structure.
Malala Fund, founded by Malala Yousafzai and her dad Ziauddin Yousafzai, concentrates on guaranteeing that women around the world can access and total secondary education, particularly in regions where barriers remain highest.