Adijat Enitan Okuyelu, very fondly called Mama Enatta, is the founder and Executive Director of Enatta Foundation, and under her leadership, the foundation has developed a comprehensive Livelihood Empowerment approach that moves women from persistent poverty to economic independence.

The foundation was born from a defining moment in 2022. What began as a seafood export inquiry led Mrs Okuyelu to the shores of Lagos, where she encountered the daily struggles of Nigerian fisherwomen. Moved by their resilience and untapped potential, she saw an opportunity to create lasting change. That encounter became the catalyst for Enatta Foundation and its flagship initiative, the Boat Project, which started with two fishing boats and has since expanded to 16 boats across 8 communities.

Under her direction, Enatta Foundation has grown beyond asset provision to deliver an integrated graduation model that includes financial literacy training through Money Mata, market linkage programs, and community cohesion initiatives like the Boat Regatta. The foundation has supported over 600 households through its holistic programming, creating pathways to sustainable prosperity for artisanal fisherwomen.

A Chartered Management Accountant with over twenty years of experience in finance and strategic management, Mrs Okuyelu brings deep expertise in financial systems and organizational leadership to her work in social impact. She currently serves as Director of Finance & New Global Initiatives at Maynard Leigh Associates, a UK-based consultancy where she has worked since 1999. Her professional experience across the UK, Nigeria, India and the U.S. has shaped her inclusive approach to community development.

For Mrs Okuyelu, success is measured not only by economic indicators but by real stories of transformation: women gaining financial independence and communities building collective strength. Her leadership of Enatta Foundation reflects her commitment to creating sustainable change where purpose and action come together to uplift lives.