Ashake Foundation Launches “Girls in Local Action (GILA)” to Empower Adolescent Girls Across Nigeria

The Ashake Foundation is taking its grassroots impact to the next level with the launch of Girls in Local Action (GFLA), the advanced iteration of its highly successful Community Changemakers Initiative.

GFLA is designed specifically for adolescent girls aged 13–19, equipping them to transition from passive observers into solution-driven leaders in their communities. Using the foundation’s signature Listen → Learn → Lead → Localize framework, participants will identify community challenges, design practical solutions, and implement initiatives that create tangible change in hygiene, safety, education, and climate action.

“This is about building the next generation of female leaders who understand the power of their voice and the impact of their actions,” said Mayowa Adegbile, the Founder of Ashake Foundation. “We are not just guiding girls; we are preparing them to lead, innovate, and transform their communities. Each girl who goes through GFLA becomes a ripple of positive change, inspiring peers and driving progress where it matters most.”

Over the years, the foundation’s Community Changemakers Initiative has nurtured hundreds of young talents, creating youth leaders who champion social responsibility and civic engagement. GFLA represents a strategic refinement of this work, focusing on sustainability, measurable impact, and scalability to ensure that interventions continue long after the program ends.

The program will roll out in 10 pilot communities in 2026, with participants receiving mentorship, access to tools, and support to implement local projects. Through interactive workshops, community mapping exercises, and leadership challenges, girls will not only gain confidence but also develop critical problem-solving, advocacy, and project management skills, preparing them to be leaders both locally and globally.

The Ashake Foundation is actively seeking strategic partners, corporate sponsors, and expert facilitators to support the expansion of GFLA. Partners will have the opportunity to directly invest in the development of resilient, empowered young women who are shaping the future of their communities.

“Investing in girls is investing in the community, the economy, and the nation,” the Founder added. “With GFLA, we are creating a generation of innovators, change-makers, and leaders who will redefine what’s possible in their neighborhoods and beyond.”