Hafsat Abiola

Founder, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)

Hafsat Abiola is a human rights and democracy activist from Nigeria. She comes from a family of dedicated Pan-Africanists and courageous fighters for freedom and justice. Her father, M.K.O. Abiola, won the Presidential election held in Nigeria in 1993 but served out his term in solitary confinement, incarcerated by the military. He died in prison, on the eve of his release. Her mother, Kudirat, was a democracy leader who organized major strikes, marches and fought assiduously against the military. In 1996, she was assassinated in the streets of Lagos.

To continue the legacy left by her parents, Hafsat founded and directs the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND). With the end of military rule, KIND offers organizational support and training opportunities to women and youths to strengthen Nigeria’s civil society so as to secure lasting democracy for its peoples.