Our Story

Why we exist.

A girl should not lose her education because life happened to her. We help girls and young mothers stay in school, return to learning, or build a skill.

Portrait of Oyin Akinsanmi, founder of Girls Thrive Network
Founder Story

Meet Oyin Akinsanmi

Oyin Akinsanmi is a Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur, author and advocate. Her work helps people, especially girls, see themselves as worthy and capable.

As the author of Make It Happen, Oyin turns belief into action. She started Girls Thrive Network after seeing poverty, early marriage and other barriers push girls out of school, often for good.

Girls Thrive Network was registered with Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission in September 2026. Oyin leads its work, starting with Project Thrive Makoko.

The Girls Thrive Network team in matching black T-shirts, standing together outside a school
Our Mission

To help girls and young mothers stay in school, return to learning, or build a skill they can earn from.

We respond to the real barriers girls face: poverty, pregnancy, early marriage and instability.

Our Vision

A trusted girls' education organisation with a proven model.

By 2030, we want our evidence to shape the policies and investments that affect girls in Nigeria, and in time across Africa.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

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Dignity

Every girl is treated with respect.

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Courage

We help girls take up space and lead.

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Growth

We create room for girls to grow.

🤝

Community

No girl rises alone.

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Evidence

We measure what works and learn from what doesn't.

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Impact

Success means girls who stay, return and move forward.

Where We Are

Nigeria today. Africa in time.

We serve girls aged 15–26 and young mothers in Nigeria.

A Girls Thrive Network volunteer helping a girl with a form at the Back to School sign-up table in Makoko

🇳🇬 Nigeria

We began with Project Thrive Makoko, working with schools, families and community groups.

🌍

A long-term ambition across Africa

As our evidence grows, we want to help shape better systems for girls' education.

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