Established since 2005 in London, the Mary Dinah Foundation, formerly known as the Zero Hunger Initiative for women and girls, began its operations by providing food, water, and shelter to vulnerable women in Shoreditch, East London.
Outreach and drug rehabilitation program for vulnerable women in Shoreditch, East London, UK
Prison reformation program commences. Here, 250 mattresses donated to women in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, Nigeria
Launch of Job-Link, Nigeria’s first-ever Job Centre, which connected over 10,000 youths to work, trained 3,000 people on employability skills, and administered over 2,000 CV clinics
Initiated school feeding, providing 100,000 meals annually to all-girl schools in Nigeria to boost girl child education, ultimately leading to women’s empowerment
Expanded to providing food in emergency settings by distributing over 28 million meals to refugees and internally displaced persons living in areas of armed conflict within Northeast Nigeria and Far North Cameroon
Zero Hunger Program commences in Chad. The program has now distributed 42 million meals to refugees and vulnerable persons across West and Central Africa
To achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Zero Hunger, we continue to provide daily meals to internally displaced persons, refugees, infants, pregnant women, people living with disabilities, and individuals in hospitals, care homes, and mental health institutions.
Founder and CEO
Board Observer
Board Observer
Board Observer
Board Observer
Trustee
Lady Mary Dinah is a renowned philanthropist and social entrepreneur transforming lives across Africa. As Founder and CEO of the Mary Dinah Foundation (MDF), she leads large-scale humanitarian programmes addressing hunger and maternal health. Through MDF’s Zero Hunger Programme—launched with USAID—over 55 million meals have been distributed across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Sudan, reaching 102,000 beneficiaries annually.
As a Global Partner of the $250 million Maternal and Newborn Fund (MNF), Lady Mary advances long-term initiatives supporting refugee women and children across eight African nations, including Nigeria, Niger, and South Sudan. Her leadership drives healthcare access, nutrition, and child welfare
in some of the most vulnerable communities.
Appointed Special Envoy on Child Protection by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development in 2024, she works with UNICEF and UNHCR to strengthen protection systems for children and survivors of gender-based violence.
An Oxford graduate with a Master’s in Global Business (Distinction), she has been featured on Forbes Africa’s first Philanthropy Edition and recognised with honours including the British Council Social Impact Award and MIPAD Global Top 100 Under 40.
Board Observer
Yinka Shonibare CBE RA is a globally recognized Nigerian-British artist celebrated for his innovative and thought-provoking works that challenge perceptions of colonialism and globalization. His signature use of vibrant Dutch wax textiles, originally a Dutch imitation of Indonesian batik, has become iconic in his art. Africans later adopted and adapted these fabrics, transforming them into a symbol of African identity and creativity.
Yinka Shonibare’s contributions to the art world have earned him prestigious recognition, including being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019 and elected as a Royal Academician (RA) in 2013. These honours underscore his significant impact on British culture and his standing as a leading artist.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Yinka Shonibare is a committed philanthropist. He founded the GAS Foundation, a Nigerian non-profit organization dedicated to fostering international cultural exchange and supporting creative practices. Through the GAS Foundation, he provides a platform for artists, researchers, and curators to thrive and contribute to the cultural landscape.
Yinka Shonibare’s work continues to inspire and provoke dialogue, making him a leading voice in contemporary art and a champion for cultural exchange.
Sources
Board Observer
Andy is a distinguished finance professional with an career in investing in groundbreaking technology companies across Europe and Africa. Currently, Andy is a member of a premier investment firm that has substantially backed one of the largest payment companies in Africa, based in Nigeria. This company is renowned for pushing the boundaries of innovation, delivering advanced payment solutions facilitating seamless commerce across the continent.
With a strategic acumen honed over years of experience, Andy also serves on the board of two prominent companies in France, contributing her governance and strategic insight.
Beyond her professional achievements, Andy is committed to charity. She has devoted significant time to volunteering in Southeast Asia, where she played a role in a charity that provides scholarships and educational opportunities for underprivileged children. Additionally, Andy has been involved in initiatives aimed at providing basic necessities such as food and shelter. She has personally visited orphanages to distribute food and support, underscoring her belief that addressing both fundamental needs and education is essential for creating lasting change and improving lives.
Board Observer
Tahir Muhammad is the Director of Primary Healthcare Services in Fune, Yobe State, Nigeria. A native of conflict-affected Magumeri region in Borno State, his background fuels his passion for providing humanitarian aid to displaced individuals and those affected by conflict. He excels in delivering emergency and basic healthcare services to vulnerable communities and has shown exceptional leadership in primary healthcare, community health initiatives, and local health infrastructure development.
A Microbiology graduate from the Federal University of Technology, Yola, he leads critical healthcare programs. Formerly the State Supervisor for the Saving One Million Lives Program, he worked to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. As a Cluster Consultant and Technical Facilitator for Community Engagement with the Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunization in Northern Nigeria, he achieved significant community engagement and immunization milestones.
Collaborating with WHO, UNICEF, Mary Dinah Foundation, and Society for Family Health, Tahir effectively partners with various stakeholders. He also mentors a school health club, promoting health awareness among youth, and continues to drive positive changes in healthcare.
Board Observer
Jessica Zhang plays a vital role in advancing the Mary Dinah Foundation’s mission to combat hunger and malnutrition across Africa through proactive engagement with youths in global communities. With her invaluable fresh perspective, she provides key strategic insights into the organization’s youth for youth and youth for children programs.
Jessica’s career spans diverse roles within reputable international NGOs, including Plan International, where she consistently advocates for the empowerment of marginalized girls and children. From fundraising to communications, her varied experiences highlight her adaptability and steadfast commitment to meaningful causes.
Having studied Anthropology at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a particular focus on Gender and Environmental studies, Jessica brings a unique vantage point to her work in the non-profit sector. Her dedication to both people and the planet is evident in her drive to make a difference.
Trustee
Damilola is a dual qualified lawyer (England & Wales and Nigeria) and currently Legal Counsel at an International Oil and Gas Company based in Nigeria. Her professional career spans over 12 years, with previous experience working for some of the most distinguished law firms in the country.
When she is not lawyering, her passion is building – building children, women, families, churches and nations. In particular, she is passionate about the role that the family structure plays in securing the future of the African child. It is this passion that led her to establish the Tolu and Dami Adelowo Foundation, which focuses on providing financial support for African charities that empower orphans and widows. She also sits on the boards of Real Talk Women Initiative, God Lovers Initiative and the Mary Dinah Foundation.
