When the Ford Foundation marked its 65th anniversary in West Africa recently, it was more than just a ceremonial milestone. It was a reminder of how one organisation’s enduring commitment to justice, equity, and opportunity has shaped the course of human development across Africa and beyond. The Foundation’s long-standing presence in Nigeria is not only a testament to its faith in the country’s potential but also a reflection of its belief that real progress is achieved when communities, not just governments, take ownership of their destinies.
Since opening its Lagos office in 1958—its first in sub-Saharan Africa—the Ford Foundation has worked through cycles of dictatorship, democracy, and social change without losing sight of its mission: to advance human dignity and reduce inequality. Over six decades, it has supported thousands of initiatives in education, women’s empowerment, media development, civic engagement, and the arts. Many of Nigeria’s most respected civil society organizations—those that stood firm during the dark days of military rule and continue to champion transparency and justice today—owe part of their institutional strength to Ford’s patient and principled funding.
Indeed, few philanthropic bodies have left such a deep imprint on Nigeria’s social and intellectual landscape. From supporting universities and research centres that shaped public policy, to backing grassroots organizations that defend human rights and promote good governance, Ford’s work has consistently mirrored the evolving needs of Nigerian society. When Nigeria was fighting for a return to democracy in the 1990s, Ford stood behind civil groups that mobilized citizens. When the new millennium ushered in a digital wave, it funded innovation labs and independent media platforms that amplified marginalized voices.
The recent anniversary celebration, held under the theme “Building Hope, Advancing Justice”, provided an opportunity to reflect on these achievements. Dignitaries, activists, scholars, and artists gathered to share stories of transformation—stories of women who found their voices, of youths who became changemakers, of journalists who risked everything to tell the truth. These testimonies underscored what has made Ford unique: its unwavering belief that social justice is not an abstract idea but a lived experience that must be made real in everyday life.
Yet anniversaries, while celebratory, also invite introspection. The world has changed drastically since the Ford Foundation began its work in Nigeria. Inequality has taken new forms—digital divides, youth unemployment, disinformation, and climate displacement now join corruption and weak institutions as barriers to justice. Civil society itself faces unprecedented threats, from donor fatigue to political hostility. Against this backdrop, Ford’s challenge in the years ahead will be how to sustain its relevance and adapt its methods to an increasingly complex environment.
First, the Foundation must continue to localize its vision. Nigeria and much of Africa are brimming with young, creative minds who understand their contexts better than any foreign consultant ever could. Philanthropy must not only fund them but also entrust them with leadership. The next 65 years should be defined by deeper African ownership of the Ford Foundation’s programmes—a transition from “capacity building” to “capacity transfer.”
Second, Ford should intensify its investment in the intersection of technology, governance, and inclusion. Digital platforms now shape public discourse and civic participation, yet they are also breeding grounds for hate and manipulation. A philanthropic institution with Ford’s moral capital is uniquely positioned to help societies navigate this double-edged world—by supporting digital literacy, responsible AI use, and the protection of online freedoms.
Third, and perhaps most crucially, the Foundation must continue to defend independent media. In an age of misinformation and state censorship, the survival of democratic culture depends on credible, courageous journalism. Ford’s historic support for investigative and public-interest reporting should be renewed and expanded, especially as journalists increasingly rely on technology and data tools to hold power accountable.
Still, one must recognize that the Ford Foundation’s greatest strength lies not just in the scale of its grants but in the values it represents. For six and a half decades, it has modelled what philanthropy can achieve when guided by humility, empathy, and partnership. It has refused to impose external agendas, choosing instead to listen and learn. It has seen Nigeria not merely as a beneficiary but as a co-creator of global ideas about justice and development.
As Ford Foundation’s Nigeria Director, Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, noted during a recent interview to mark the anniversary, “The beauty of the Ford Foundation is that it doesn’t see itself as a donor — we see ourselves as partners,” she said. “We don’t dictate to communities or call for proposals. We identify people whose ideas align with our goals and partner with them. Our funding is flexible because if people are to make change in a dynamic world, they need dynamic money.” That distinction captures the essence of genuine social transformation. True progress happens when partnerships are equal, when funding fuels freedom rather than dependence, and when philanthropy becomes a bridge between aspiration and action.
At a time when the world often feels divided along lines of wealth, race, and ideology, the Ford Foundation’s example offers a quiet but powerful lesson: that solidarity is still possible, that justice remains a universal language, and that compassion, when institutionalized, can outlive generations.
Sixty-five years is a long time in any country’s story. For the Ford Foundation in Nigeria, it represents an era of courage, continuity, and conscience. As it embarks on its next chapter, the challenge is not simply to repeat past successes but to reinvent its mission for a new age—an age that demands more listening, more innovation, and more collaboration.
But if history is any guide, there is reason for optimism. The Foundation’s track record suggests that it will continue to rise to the moment—standing with the oppressed, investing in the excluded, and believing, against all odds, that justice is still worth fighting for.
In that sense, the Ford Foundation’s 65th anniversary is not merely a celebration of the past. It is a reaffirmation of hope—the hope that, in Nigeria and across the world, humanity can still build a fairer, freer, and more compassionate future.
