RESCONI Participates in Ford Foundation Office for West Africa (OWA) @ 65th Anniversary in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
RESCONI participated in the Ford Foundation OWA @ 65 Years Anniversary Celebration to support social justice, equality, and inclusive development across the region. The milestone event, held on 5th November 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, was themed “OWA@65: From Nation Building to Social Justice” and brought together partners, grantees, alumni, and friends to reflect on the past six (6) decades and the future ahead.
Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director of the Ford Foundation Office for West Africa, stated that the Foundation’s legacy is not just in the half a billion dollars given to more than 1,000 partners, but in the long-lasting relationships built with those working for positive change. She disclosed that since opening its first regional office in Lagos in 1960, the Ford Foundation has supported projects in education, governance, women’s empowerment, human rights, arts, and environmental justice, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal.
The Senior Vice President of Ford Foundation, Mr. Martín Abregu, highlighted that West Africa plays a key role in the Foundation’s global mission to reduce inequality, noting that local experiences in the region help to shape how the world understands social justice: the Keynote Speaker, former Nigerian Vice President H. E. Yemi Osinbajo praised the Foundation for its humble, courageous approach and its belief in West Africans driving their own progress. As part of the anniversary, the Ford Foundation Office for West Africa launched a legacy publication and a documentary showcasing its 65-year journey of social transformation and partnership in the region, supporting projects in education, governance, women's empowerment, human rights, arts, and environmental justice.
This event brought together grantees, governments, partners, alumni, and friends of Ford Foundation to honour a shared legacy of courage, collaboration, and commitment to advancing human dignity across West Africa.
