Akinfenwa at 50: One Man’s Birthday Gift is Changing 50 Lives in Africa
What if your next birthday could do more than just bring cake and candles—but create a legacy?
That’s exactly what happened when Mr. Akingbade Akinfewa, a long-time friend and supporter of WAAW Foundation, turned 50. In celebration of his milestone birthday, he chose to fund the futures of 50 young women in STEM through a generous $25,000 donation to WAAW Foundation.
He called it “50 for 50”—a bold commitment to empower 50 underrepresented African women with $500 scholarships each, opening doors to academic achievement, exceptional empowerment, and brighter futures.
Why This Matters
WAAW Foundation wants to create an Africa where access to quality education- this case, STEM education – is not a highly sought-after privilege for girls and women. The barriers—financial, societal, and infrastructural—are real. But so are the dreams.
And with this donation, 50 young women can now confidently step into classrooms, labs, and innovation hubs, knowing someone believes in their potential.
This impact goes beyond the numbers and the act, and creates a system where these women will be worthy products of a society that believed in them. Through WAAW’s mentorship and leadership programs, they’ll also be equipped to give back to their communities and multiply this one impact.
About the WAAW Scholarship Program
The WAAW Foundation’s Scholarship Program is an annual scholarship that provides financial support to African women pursuing STEM degrees, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their academic and career aspirations. Beyond financial aid, scholarship recipients are granted access to a powerful network of mentors, peers, and industry professionals to further equip them for success in STEM.
Since its inception, WAAW Foundation has been one of the organizations that give scholarships for African girls in STEM, and through our scholarship program, we have awarded scholarships to 146 girls across 22+ African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the list goes on. These girls have gone ahead to create STEM chapters in their various institutions where they organize outreaches to neighboring communities, mentoring younger girls about STEM and the opportunities available for women in STEM .
Our $500 scholarship typically covers tuition, accommodation, materials, and other expenses for a girl for one year. This gives an insight into how much impact this support is going to bring to these girls.
A Call to Action
Mr. Akinfewa’s “50 for 50” reminds us that everyone has something they can give—whether it’s time, skills, or resources. Birthdays, anniversaries, or even ordinary days can become extreme moments of meaning.
Whether you’re turning 25 or 60, your special day can become a source of light for someone else. Like Mr. Akinfewa, you too can make this impact!
Together we celebrate not just a man, but a movement!