At Rise Up Together, we believe that investing in local leaders and organizations, and building lasting relationships creates opportunities for meaningful change. Our newest partnership in Nigeria brings that commitment to life.
We’re thrilled to announce that Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative, a Nigerian nonprofit founded by Rise Up Leader Margaret Bolaji-Adegbola, is joining Rise Up Together as our new local implementation and operational partner!
Margaret’s connection to Rise Up Together began in 2014, when she first learned about our work as Stand With a Girl Initiative (SWAG) was still taking shape. In 2022, she participated in Rise Up Together’s fourth Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator in Nigeria and received grant funding to advance a project focused on improving school safety and protecting students from violence, kidnappings, and other threats to their education.
Now, more than a decade after that initial connection, the organization she founded is taking on a new role as Rise Up Together’s Employer of Record in Nigeria, marking a meaningful new chapter in a relationship rooted in shared purpose and a commitment to locally led change.
Since 2016, SWAG has reached more than 2 million people, including adolescent girls, parents, educators, community members, and decision-makers, through its work to advance girls’ education, sexual and reproductive health, leadership, and gender equity.
Through this new partnership, SWAG will provide the local operational infrastructure that supports Rise Up Together’s programming and grantmaking in Nigeria, helping ensure that local leaders have the support they need to advance lasting policy and systems change.
“It is a powerful testament to how locally led organizations can grow and become key drivers of sustainable change,” shared Margaret. “I am particularly excited that SWAG can now contribute its institutional strength and experience to this shared mission, while supporting the next generation of women and girl leaders, amplifying locally led advocacy, and connecting grassroots leadership with opportunities to influence lasting change across Nigeria.”
As we continue investing in Nigeria, we’re proud to deepen our relationship with Margaret and SWAG, building on our shared commitment to strengthening local leadership and expanding opportunities for women and girls.
