Hafsat Abiola

Nigerian democracy activist who founded the Center for Democracy and Development to promote good governance and women's leadership in West Africa

Hafsat Abiola (b. 1969) is a Nigerian political leader and founder of the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), established in 1999 to strengthen democratic institutions across West Africa. As the daughter of assassinated presidential candidate Moshood Abiola, she transformed personal tragedy into a commitment to democratic reform. CDD's programs have trained over 10,000 political leaders and supported 23 election monitoring missions in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia.

Abiola pioneered the Women's Leadership Institute, which has empowered 3,000 women to run for public office through mentorship and policy advocacy. Her 2003 initiative to establish Nigeria's first gender budgeting framework influenced national fiscal policies to include women's needs. Abiola's work in post-conflict reconstruction was critical in Liberia, where she helped design the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process.

Her advocacy led to the 2010 African Union Gender Policy, requiring 30% female representation in governance bodies. Abiola's TED Talk "Why I'm fighting for democracy in Nigeria" has over 1.5 million views. She chairs the Board of Directors for the Nigeria Leadership Academy, training youth in leadership and civic responsibility. Despite death threats during Boko Haram conflicts, she continues to advocate for inclusive governance through CDD's regional networks.