Ogun State First Lady and founder of the Ajose Foundation, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Dr. Mojisola Florence Akinsanya, a respected development practitioner, gender specialist, and former Executive Director of the foundation.
In a statement she personally signed, Mrs. Abiodun described Dr. Akinsanya’s death as “a profound loss” to the Ajose Foundation and the wider development community. She praised the late gender expert as an exceptional leader whose intellect, compassion, and commitment to justice left a lasting impact everywhere she worked.
According to the First Lady, the nonprofit sector has lost “a respected voice, a courageous advocate, and a champion of women and girls,” noting that Dr. Akinsanya’s work will continue to shape future generations.
Mrs. Abiodun also offered her condolences to Dr. Akinsanya’s family, colleagues, and partners who benefited from her mentorship and were inspired by her service.
Dr. Akinsanya spent more than 25 years in the development sector, working with international organisations such as Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the World Bank HPDP II HAF CSO Grant, and the Commonwealth Fund Foundation. She built a distinguished career focused on gender equality, women’s leadership, and the protection and empowerment of women and girls across Nigeria, Africa, and the Pacific.
For the past three years, she worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women in Papua New Guinea under the Women Make A Change Project, contributing to civic engagement, the prevention of gender-based violence, and the participation of women in governance.
ICYMI
Dr. Akinsanya also served as a Gender Analyst in Elections with the African Union, participating in missions across eight countries and providing expert guidance on gender inclusion in electoral processes.
Her work extended to conflict, displacement, and fragile environments, earning her a reputation as an international consultant with strong expertise in civic engagement, gender mainstreaming, and policy advocacy. She held leadership roles at both national and sub-national levels and worked closely with civil society networks across the ECOWAS region.
Dr. Akinsanya earned her PhD in Gender Studies from Oregon State University in the United States.
