The Board of Directors of FATE Foundation has appointed Ayomide Akindolie-Igwe as its new Executive Director (ED).

The appointment was effective January 12, 2026.

A statement by the foundation, describes Akindolie-Igwe as a seasoned leader whose expertise in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and the advancement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) would be instrumental to its development.

Chairman of the Board, FATE Foundation, Fola Adeola, in the statement said Akindolie-Igwe’s appointment comes as Adenike Adeyemi prepares to conclude her over 10 years tenure as Executive Director on February 28, 2026.

He said under Adeyemi’s leadership and through three successive multi-year strategic plans, FATE has become a regional powerhouse — reaching individuals across Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

Notably, Adeola said Adeyemi oversaw the strategic transition of its organisation into three specialised divisions namely, The FATE School, The FATE Institute and The FATE Giving, ensuring a holistic approach to entrepreneurship support as we expanded into research, policy advocacy, access to capital, digital and AI growth and so much more.

To ensure a seamless succession, the Board Chairman said Adenike and Ayomide had been working together during the transition period, adding that the collaborative handover would focus on deepening stakeholder relationships and ensuring the continued execution of the Foundation’s 2024-2029 strategic plan.