Breaking Ground: Mary Dinah Foundation’s Transformative Journey in 2024

As 2025 begins, the Mary Dinah Foundation continues to redefine the boundaries of humanitarian impact. With an unwavering commitment to eradicating malnutrition globally and improving maternal and infant health, the Foundation’s groundbreaking achievements in 2024 underscore its dedication to uplifting vulnerable populations across the Sahel region.

Through its Zero Hunger Program, the Foundation has distributed over 55 million meals across West and Central Africa, including Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad, ensuring essential nutrition reached the most vulnerable. Its programs linked 14,394 children to life-saving vaccinations and contributed to Nigeria’s world record for simultaneous breastfeeding, championing maternal and child health. It also connected 5,021 pregnant women to critical antenatal services, significantly improving health outcomes for mothers and their babies.

In 2024, the Foundation expanded its reach and deepened its impact through innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships. It launched the Annual Mary Dinah Foundation Charity Shield in Cameroon, using sports as a platform to engage communities, particularly adolescent girls, while promoting nutrition education.

It joined UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, empowering youths by providing access to digital tools and workplace readiness programs. It delivered emergency aid to victims displaced by flooding in Cameroon, including 21,000 babies, and expanded food distribution points in Northeast Nigeria.

Additionally, the Foundation extended support to four additional refugee host communities in Far North Cameroon, enhancing food security for thousands, and expanded into the Lac Province of Chad with 2.17 million meals.

Beyond immediate humanitarian relief, the Foundation prioritised long-term resilience and inclusivity. It partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development on child protection and gifted bespoke accessibility beds to the Ketu Special Needs Orphanage in Lagos State, ensuring inclusive care for children with disabilities.

The Foundation’s Founder and CEO, Mary Dinah, reflected on last year’s achievements with a clear vision for the future. “Our focus remains unwavering. We are determined to eradicate malnutrition, improve healthcare access, and create sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations. This is my life’s work, and I am committed to making a positive impact that will resonate for generations.”

Looking ahead, the Foundation aims to tackle pressing challenges, such as child marriage and mental health in conflict regions. Dinah emphasised the urgency of addressing these issues through advocacy, psychosocial support, and quality education.

“In the Northeast, we have young girls being kidnapped from school or prevented from attending altogether—a situation we must fight against,” she stated. Highlighting the British Council’s findings, she noted, “Nigeria has the highest rate of girls out of school globally, with five million girls out of school. This is a call to action.”

As the Foundation moves forward, its efforts will continue to prioritise areas affected by armed conflict, resource-poor settings, and communities in need of transformative support. With a proven track record and a bold vision, the Mary Dinah Foundation is poised to achieve even greater heights in 2025 and beyond.