In a world where political spaces are still largely shaped by patriarchal traditions, Ibijoke Faborode is determined to change the narrative. As co-founder and Executive Director of ElectHER, she is leading a transformative movement aimed at reshaping governance by making it more inclusive, representative, and truly democratic.
Driven by a fierce commitment to gender equity, civic innovation, and systemic reform, Ibijoke is pioneering new ways to bring more women into politics not just as participants, but as leaders and power brokers.
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From Advocacy to Action
Ibijoke’s journey into politics and policy didn’t begin at the ballot box but in the boardroom. With over a decade of experience spanning research, policy advocacy, and public-private partnerships, she has cultivated a career rooted in results-driven development.
Her early professional years were spent navigating global policy institutions, including the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, where she helped shape trade and investment strategies across West Africa.
That experience, coupled with a deep understanding of Africa’s complex political and social ecosystems, laid the foundation for ElectHER, a non-partisan, pan-African organization she co-founded in 2019. The organization’s mission is to bridge the wide gender gap in African political representation, by equipping, financing, and supporting women to run for elected office.
Changing the Face of Politics
ElectHER was launched with an ambitious goal: to support 1,000 women to run for office and fund at least 35 female candidates under the Agender35 campaign. Backed by a $10 million fund, this bold initiative marked one of the most coordinated, well-resourced pushes to accelerate women’s political inclusion in Nigeria.
The campaign’s success didn’t only lie in numbers, it sparked conversations, challenged long-standing political norms, and empowered communities to rethink who belongs in public office.
But ElectHER’s work goes beyond elections. Under Ibijoke’s leadership, the organization has built a holistic ecosystem that spans policy advocacy, leadership development, civic technology, and research. Flagship programs like the Future Lawmakers Fellowship, the ElectHER Election Hub, and the ElectHER Policy & Research Center provide women with critical tools, insights, and platforms to succeed not just as candidates, but as changemakers.
A Scholar of Strategy
Ibijoke’s strategic depth is supported by a rich educational background. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University and a Master’s degree in Project Management from École de Management de Normandie in France. She has also completed executive programs in Business Analytics at Imperial College London and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Business and Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics.
Her academic path reflects the complexity of the problems she tackles: balancing rigorous research with practical problem-solving, and combining global best practices with local relevance.
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Global Recognition, Local Roots
Ibijoke’s efforts have received widespread recognition. In 2022, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women, joining an elite group of trailblazers from across the globe. Her work has been profiled by international platforms like Global Citizen, and she continues to serve as a thought leader and advocate on international panels, governance councils, and civic-tech platforms.
Yet, for all her accolades, her focus remains squarely on impact, building systems that outlast slogans and driving forward a culture where women are not invited into politics as tokens, but expected as equals.
Vision for the Future
At the heart of Ibijoke Faborode’s work is a belief in sustainable, structural change. She is pushing for legislative reforms like the Independent Candidacy Bill, which would give Nigerians the right to run for office outside the grip of traditional political parties. Through tools like Hernalytics, a citizen data platform, she is also making governance more transparent, accountable, and accessible.
Her long-term goal? To help build an Africa where democratic institutions reflect the diversity and dynamism of its people, especially its women.
Ibijoke Faborode is not just fighting for representation, she is architecting a new future for African democracy. One where women are no longer exceptions to the rule, but essential authors of the political story.
