Foundation

FOUNDATION

Introduction & History

Our Story

Founded by JaneMichael Ekanem, the Foundation is rooted in her personal educational journey and her conviction that no deserving student should be denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams because of financial limitations.

Having attended a public school herself, JaneMichael experienced firsthand some of the challenges that students from financially struggling backgrounds often face. During her school years, there were times when financial constraints made even the daily journey to school difficult, and the support of her church in assisting with transportation enabled her to continue her education.

Those experiences instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for the power of community, compassion, and timely support. They also shaped her belief that a single act of kindness can change the course of a person’s future.

Today, the Foundation exists to provide educational support to young girls who demonstrate good character, academic commitment, and financial need, helping them take the next step toward higher education and a brighter future.

The Beginning: A Promise in 2016

The Foundation’s journey began in 2016 when JaneMichael returned to her alma mater, Girls Senior Academy, with a simple but meaningful goal: to support one deserving student.

The student selected was Bilikis Okuwobi, whose determination, discipline, and potential reflected the values the Foundation sought to encourage.

JaneMichael provided financial support to help her continue her educational journey, believing that investing in one young girl’s future could create an impact far beyond a single scholarship.

A Ripple Effect

Years later, that belief was affirmed. After benefiting from the scholarship, she went on to purchase JAMB registration forms for several other students, creating opportunities for young people to pursue their own educational aspirations.

Working closely with the school, a beneficiary was selected based on three principles that continue to guide the Foundation today: good character, academic commitment, and financial need.

Her act of generosity became a living example of the Foundation’s enduring belief:

“When one person is given an opportunity, that opportunity can create a ripple effect that benefits many others.”

Recognition and Encouragement

The scholarship awarded in 2016 received formal recognition from the Lagos State Government, Education District III.

In a Letter of Appreciation dated 8 June 2016, the Office of the Tutor-General / Permanent Secretary expressed gratitude to JaneMichael Ekanem for her generous support in awarding the scholarship, and expressed the hope that similar opportunities would be extended to more students.

This acknowledgment served as an encouragement that even a single act of generosity can inspire broader impact within a community, and reaffirmed the importance of investing in education.

Continuing the Vision

Although circumstances made it difficult to continue the scholarship programme immediately after its first award, the vision never faded.

The JaneMichael Ekanem Foundation was subsequently established to continue and strengthen that original commitment, ensuring that more deserving young girls would have the opportunity to pursue higher education.

The Foundation remains intentionally focused on Girls Senior Academy, JaneMichael’s alma mater, with the goal of building a sustainable scholarship programme that grows responsibly over time.

As resources increase, the Foundation intends to expand the number of beneficiaries while remaining faithful to its founding principles.

It is also the Foundation’s hope that this simple and sustainable model will inspire responsible individuals, alumni, and organisations to establish similar initiatives within their own schools and communities, creating opportunities for many more students across generations.

Our Guiding Belief

“A good name is better than silver or gold.”Proverbs 22:1

These words, spoken often by JaneMichael’s late father, became one of the guiding principles of her life and now form part of the Foundation’s philosophy.

The JaneMichael Ekanem Foundation believes that while education opens doors, character determines how far those opportunities can reach.

The Foundation does not seek only to support students academically. It seeks to encourage a generation of young women who will live with integrity, pursue excellence, and positively influence the lives of others.

Because when education is combined with character, opportunity becomes legacy.

Mission Statement

To support young girls from financially challenged backgrounds by providing educational opportunities that help them transition from secondary school into higher education, while encouraging values of integrity, responsibility, and positive contribution to society.

Vision Statement

To build a lasting educational support system that empowers deserving young girls to achieve their potential, and inspires a culture where beneficiaries become contributors who positively impact others.