3rd August 2026
Dear Esteemed Asido Family,
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASIDO FOUNDATION.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our heartfelt appreciation and warmest congratulations to every member of staff and volunteer as we celebrate the seventh anniversary of our beloved Foundation. Today is more than the marking of another year; it is a celebration of seven years of purpose, compassion, sacrifice, and transformational impact made possible
because of you. Every milestone we have reached and every life we have touched reflects your unwavering commitment to our shared vision of improving mental health outcomes across Nigeria and beyond.
The last time I was in Ibadan, I witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment of every member of staff under the inspiring leadership of our Founder and CEO, Professor Jibril Abdulmalik. It was truly inspiring to see the passion with which you all serve and the genuine
difference you make in the lives of others. That experience reaffirmed what the Board has always known: that the greatest strength of the Asido Foundation is its people.
Over the past seven years, you have helped build the Asido Foundation into one of Nigeria's leading mental health advocacy organisations. Together, we have championed landmark advocacy efforts, supported the implementation of the National Mental Health Act, advanced suicide prevention initiatives, and continued to amplify the conversation around mental health through community engagement, media advocacy, public campaigns, and outreach programmes. Through your dedication, we have reached hundreds of thousands of people, helping to reduce stigma and inspire hope where it is most needed.
Beyond advocacy, you have invested in people. Through initiatives such as JAME, the Asido Campus Network (ACN), the Asido Kids Challenge, Asido Bootcamp, and the Asido Mental Health Fellowship, you have nurtured and empowered a new generation of mental health advocates. You have also strengthened communities by equipping students, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders with practical skills through training in Psychological First Aid (PFA), mhGAP, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based mental health interventions.
Your compassion has been evident not only in what you teach but also in how you serve. Through our Helpline, Project HOPE, emergency psychosocial interventions, and other community-based mental health programmes, you have brought comfort, hope, and practical support to individuals and families during some of their most difficult moments. At the same time, your professionalism and excellence have enabled the Foundation to build valuable strategic partnerships and earn national and international recognition through competitive grants and awards, further strengthening our credibility and expanding our impact.
Perhaps what inspires us most is that these remarkable achievements have been accomplished despite funding constraints and other systemic challenges. Time and again, you have demonstrated resilience, teamwork, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. For this, the Board of Trustees expresses its deepest gratitude.
Chairman's Award for Excellence
As a token of appreciation for the dedication and outstanding service of our staff and volunteers, the Chairman's Award for Outstanding Service will be instituted, effective this December. The annual award will recognise one exceptional staff member or volunteer whose dedication, impact, and commitment best exemplify the values of the Asido Foundation. The recipient will receive a cash prize of ₦250,000 in recognition of outstanding service. It is hoped that this award will inspire even greater excellence as we continue advancing our shared mission.
As we celebrate this milestone, let us remember that our journey is far from over. There are still countless lives to touch, communities to strengthen, and barriers to break. Together, we will continue to build an organisation that not only transforms conversations around mental health but also transforms lives.
Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your steadfast commitment to this mission. We are honoured to serve alongside you and look forward with great optimism to all that we will accomplish together in the years ahead.
With sincere appreciation,
Meka Niyi Olowola
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Asido Foundation