Maryam Augie-Abdulmumin is the Executive Director of ICF, where she leads with a profound commitment to advocacy and outreach, particularly focused on child education in Nigeria’s most remote and underserved regions. Her dedication to humanity is evident in her tireless efforts to address the educational needs of children, ensuring that even those in the most distant areas have access to learning opportunities.
Maryam’s visionary leadership is reflected in the thoughtful and meticulous planning of educational initiatives under ICF. A notable example is her work on addressing the critical issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria, demonstrating her innovative approach to tackling significant challenges. She has been instrumental in shaping ICF’s vision and has successfully brought together a diverse and exceptional advisory council to further the organization’s mission.
Her passion for community development and child advocacy shines through in her annual programs and philanthropic endeavors, making her a standout figure in the field of humanitarian work.
Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu is a renowned global advocate for women’s health and a dedicated cancer awareness campaigner. She is the Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) and the MD/CEO of Medicaid Radio-Diagnostics Limited, which she established in 2009 to address the critical need for diagnostic solutions in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Dr. Shinkafi Bagudu’s work extends beyond urban areas, as she is committed to raising cancer awareness in rural communities, ensuring that vital information reaches even the most remote regions. She is passionate about empowering women with the knowledge and resources they need to detect and address health issues at an early stage.
Dr. Bagudu is also a consultant pediatrician and contributes as a columnist to Blueprint Newspaper. Her influence extends globally through her roles on the board of directors for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the advisory board of the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC), and as a member of the Nigerian Cancer Society and the American Society for Clinical Oncology. She also plays a pivotal role in the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative Technical Working Group and serves as an Ambassador for the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, contributing significantly to global cancer awareness and prevention efforts.
Hadiza Galadanci is a pioneering figure as the first female consultant, gynecologist, and Professor of Medicine from Kano State. She has dedicated her career to reducing maternal and child mortality, addressing gender disparities in health, and influencing global policies on maternal health. With over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and leadership in over 20 studies, she has collaborated with organizations like WHO, MacArthur Foundation, FIGO, USAID, UNFPA, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Her research contributions include the WHO Labour Care Guide, the E-Motive Trial to reduce childbirth-related bleeding, and the IVON trial to prevent anemia in pregnant Nigerian women. Prof. Hadiza also serves on key committees and initiatives, such as the West Africa Health Organization’s Steering Committee for Maternal Mortality Reduction, AlignMNH, TETFund National Research Fund, and others. Additionally, she has mentored and trained over 2,000 medical students and professionals across Nigeria and Africa, fostering the next generation of leaders in the field.
Blessing Liman holds the prestigious title of being the first female Captain in the Presidential Air Fleet and is also celebrated as the first female military pilot in the Nigerian Air Force.
Hailing from Zango Kataf in Kaduna, her role as part of the SP-24A pilot group, famously known as the “Knights of the Air,” has firmly established her as a pioneering figure in aviation. Her remarkable achievements have shattered gender barriers and set new standards in the field, earning her recognition as an iconic figure in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Fati Abubakar is a documentary photographer, photojournalist, and public health worker, renowned for her storytelling through the lens of her camera. Her work captures both the positive and negative aspects of various locations, focusing on health issues in underrepresented communities, cultural narratives, urban poverty, conflict situations, rural development, and humanitarian issues.
In 2015, she launched “Bits of Borno,” a personal project aimed at showcasing her hometown in Borno State during the Boko Haram crisis. The project has garnered widespread acclaim and has been featured in prominent media outlets, including the New York Times, BBC, CNN, Voice of America, Newsweek Europe, Irish Times, and Nigerian newspapers like ThisDay and The Blueprint. Additionally, she has been commissioned by UNICEF, International Alert, Action Aid, NPR, and other organizations.
As the creative director of the Fati Abubakar Arts Foundation, she spearheads initiatives in digital literacy and arts education, covering areas such as photography, videography, and social media. Her foundation provides training to young people across Borno State, helping them document and share their community stories. Through her work, she promotes citizen journalism and community-based storytelling, aiming to preserve and highlight cultural heritage.
