Women for 35% Initiative Appoints Dr. Briskila Okafor Emefesi as Northern States Coordinator
The AJU Morgan Elumelu Foundation (AMEF) proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Briskila Okafor Emefesi as the Northern States Coordinator for the Women for 35% Initiative, a national movement committed to advancing women’s representation in governance, politics, and leadership across Nigeria.
Dr. Emefesi brings an exceptional portfolio of experience spanning 30+ years in civil service, 17 years in NGO leadership, and a distinguished history of gender advocacy, community development, peacebuilding, and large-scale project management across Northern Nigeria.
A Scholar, Advocate, and Transformative Leader
Since 1993, she has served as a Senior Lecturer at the Bauchi State College of Agriculture, shaping future leaders in agricultural development. As the Executive Director of the Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF) since 2007, she has implemented transformative programs funded by global organizations including UNICEF, USAID, Global Fund, OSIWA, and YMCA.
Through these initiatives, Dr. Emefesi has impacted thousands of women, youths, and children—expanding access to healthcare, education, empowerment, economic opportunities, and governance participation.
She is also the Founder and President of the Women Achievers Group, a mentoring and capacity-building platform that has nurtured the voices and leadership potential of young women across the North for more than a decade.
Her expertise encompasses:
-
Gender advocacy & women’s rights
-
Project design & donor engagement
-
Agricultural extension services
-
Financial management & organizational leadership
-
Policy influence & stakeholder coordination
-
Community mobilization & peacebuilding
Leading Women for 35% Across the Northern Region
As Northern States Coordinator, Dr. Emefesi will oversee AMEF’s operations across the 19 Northern states, leading efforts to:
-
Strategically mobilize women for political participation and leadership
-
Coordinate state chapters and monitor regional program implementation
-
Build partnerships with government, development partners, civil society, and traditional rulers
-
Strengthen gender advocacy initiatives, training programs, and policy engagement
-
Enhance the movement’s research, media outreach, and community education efforts
Her extensive background in maternal and child health, youth engagement, women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, and governance advocacy positions her as one of the most influential voices for women’s rights in Northern Nigeria.
Dr. Briskila Okafor Emefesi stands as a symbol of excellence, resilience, and national service. Her leadership will significantly elevate the Women for 35% Initiative and accelerate progress toward achieving the constitutionally recognized 35% women’s inclusion in Nigeria.
The Women for 35% Initiative warmly congratulates Dr. Emefesi and looks forward to her transformative impact across the North.
