The Ayida Foundation is a private, non-profit, philanthropic organization, dedicated to transforming individuals, communities, and societies through the principles of Love, Service, and Excellence. Formally launched in December 2022, to honour the legacies of the late Mr. Allison Akene Ayida, CFR (Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, a “Quintessential” Statesman) and his beloved wife late Mrs. Oluremi Victoria Ayida (Jewel of God), the Foundation partners with individuals and organizations to promote spiritual growth, advance education, and
create scalable solutions that transform economies.
To establish transformed individuals, communities and societies on the foundation of Love, Service and Excellence
To financially partner with individuals and organizations focused on stewarding spiritual growth, advancing the education sector and creating scalable solutions that transform economies.
To honor the legacy of Allison and Oluremi Ayida by continuing their work of nation-building, soul-winning, and empowering future generations through compassion, wisdom, and sustainable action.
If the lives and times of Allison and Oluremi Ayida could be captured in six words, it would be this, “The God Chasers and Change Catalysts”. They lived their lives with a shared vision and ended with a legacy that we know today as the Allison and Oluremi Ayida Foundation. During her lifetime, our mother, Oluremi Victoria Ayida was driven by a burning desire to see men and women transformed and empowered through God’s word by intentionally creating God-encounters in cities and communities. This desire was very congruent with our father’s passion to drive change through government policies and development programs.
We believe that our father, Allison Akene Ayida had a prophetic call to Government. He fulfilled this call as a leading civil servant during the early years after independence and during the Nigerian civil war. An important highlight of his years of service was the role he played in shaping Nigeria’s post-civil war economy.
As their children, we had the rare privilege of watching them walk these paths in close proximity. Our lives were shaped by the journeys these paths took them on, creating a legacy that will transcend many generations to come.
Our mother, Oluremi Ayida went to be with the Lord on 21 June, 2011 and our father passed on to glory on 12 October, 2018. Though they are physically absent, they live on in our hearts. They have continued to live vicariously through our commitment to continuing their legacy and promoting the values they lived for – Love, Service and Excellence. One question that has
continued to serve as a guide for us over the years is, ‘What would they have done?’
Our parents firmly believed in the transformative power of generosity.
The moment we chose to walk the path of generosity, guided by wisdom and discernment, we started to understand that
we were called to be faithful stewards of what they left in us, not just what they left for us.
Over the last few years, we have navigated through the process of staying true to this call by establishing the Allison & Oluremi Ayida Foundation. During the process of establishing the Foundation, this was clear – We are visionaries who interpret the ‘Evergreen’ Vision of our parents in ways that are relevant in today’s world and culture.
The Ayida Foundation is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees made up of the children of Allison and Oluremi Ayida. Each member brings unique strengths and deep personal commitment to advancing the vision of the foundation.
Alero Ayida-Otobo is a Transformation Strategist with an invaluable understanding of sector-wide reforms in Africa.
She is the Founder of Incubator Africa, a Development Agency established in 2012 that mobilises and equips reformers to collaborate and actively participate in strategic activities that transform sectors and systems.
She is also the visionary of the Education Hub, a state-of-the-art virtual Catalyst Centre for Transformation. Her passion is to ignite, equip and develop reformers and reform entrepreneurs.
She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) Africa – a critical arm of the Fix Politics Initiative.
She is also the Co-Founder and Board Member of Teach for Nigeria, Co-Founder and Trustee of the Education Reform and Innovation Team (ERIT), Chair of Slum2School Africa, Chair and Co-Founder of the Imaginal Education Initiative and Trustee of Health for Nigeria.
A graduate of Somerville College, University of Oxford; the Bartlett School of Architecture and Town Planning, University of London and the London Business School, Alero’s purpose is to “create wealth in Africa through the development of Human Potential.”
She has worked in different sectors in Nigeria and Ghana and spoken at significant conferences in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
Her mission is to build Communities of Reformers that step out of their comfort zones and take responsibility for their nations by executing nation building initiatives.
She chaired the CaribbWIIN 2022 Think Tank on Education, Skills and Knowledge Transfer.
She is passionate about reforming educational and health systems which are key to National Development and transforming individuals and institutions.
Gubby Ayida joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in May 2023, as Chief Executive of Evelina London Women’s and Children’s Clinical Group, incorporating the Evelina Children’s Hospital. She is a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
Gubby was Medical Director of the Women’s and Children’s Division at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust (CWFT). Prior to joining Evelina London, she was Medical Director of Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Her various NHS management positions have included being a member of an Acute Collaborative Trust Board across the four NW London Acute Trusts; a Specialist Advisor to CWFT Board for EDI; and Associate Medical Director for Strategic Programmes on the reconfiguration of delivery of specialist paediatric services across NW London.
Gubby now leads the Evelina London’s Women’s and Children’s Clinical Group who provide care for women, children, young people and their families through life course, from preconception, pregnancy and birth, throughout childhood, and transition to adult services as part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Gubby is a graduate of Somerville College, Oxford and St Thomas’s Hospital Medical School.
She is an old girl of Queen’s College Lagos and Cheltenham Ladies’ College, and was on their Board of Governors for 9 years. She was also on the Board of Governors of Latymer Upper School.
She is currently on the Boards of Lapis Lazuli Ministries, Friendship Bible Fellowship Ministries , (FBFM), Bethel Sozo Network Nigeria, Revitalise Trust UK
Married for many years with three wonderful grown-up children and an incredibly supportive husband.. Gubby for most times has managed to successfully combine career commitments with a stable family life.
Abi Ayida is an accomplished business leader, board chairman, and economist with over 25 years of director-level experience across multiple sectors including governance, finance, insurance, real estate, and international consulting. He brings a proven ability to guide organizations through transformation, growth, and regulatory compliance while maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance.
As Chairman of Berger Paints Nigeria PLC, Econation Recycling UK Limited, and Managing Partner at Vail Woodward Associates, he leads from the boardroom with a strategic lens.
His governance experience spans both executive and non-executive roles, including leadership of key board committees in finance, audit, strategy, remuneration, and risk. He is also a certified Independent Director with a strong foundation in IFRS, board effectiveness, and fiduciary oversight. Abi is a seasoned voice in policy and public discourse.
He serves on the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper, contributing thought leadership on economic and governance issues.
Maje Ayida is a pioneering Nigerian Wellness Coach and the CEO of Eden Lifestyle, an award-winning health and fitness brand. Known for its innovative Corporate Wellness programs, Eden Lifestyle serves various industries across Nigeria and internationally.
Maje’s dedication to promoting healthy living extends through his columns in national newspapers, frequent TV and radio appearances, and his influential role as an international speaker. He hosts the popular lifestyle radio show, The Eden Corner, and is the force behind the annual School Fitness Roadshow, which has made a significant impact on youth wellness education.
In recognition of his contributions, Maje was honored by The Guardian Newspaper, as one of the “60 People Making Nigerian Lives Matter” in 2020, and in 2023. He was named among The MIPAD 100 influential Africans globally. His leadership in wellness was further acknowledged in 2024 when he was appointed the official Wellness Partner for the Lagos State Sports Commission’s Keep Fit Lagos campaign and named the Most Influential Human Resources Practitioner at HRExpo Africa.
Maje has worked with prestigious organizations such as WHO, Unilever, British Airways, and many others to enhance their wellness initiatives. His journey is marked by a deep commitment to fostering healthy living and creating positive, sustainable change in communities.
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