Osayi Alile is advancing social impact across Africa through her leadership at ACT Foundation and her long-standing commitment to nonprofit development.
A recognised leader in Nigeria’s nonprofit and philanthropic space, Osayi Alile is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, where she oversees grantmaking and development programmes supporting nonprofits and social enterprises across the continent.
Early career and entry into the social sector
Alile began her career with an academic interest in business administration but shifted focus to public administration after volunteering with a nonprofit organisation during her studies in the United States. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to social development and entrepreneurship.
Over the past two decades, she has held key positions in the social sector, including Executive Director at FATE Foundation, Vice President at Junior Achievement Nigeria, and CSR Consultant at Access Bank. She also served as the founding curator of the Global Shapers Community in Nigeria and was part of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a private sector-led initiative supporting Nigeria’s pandemic response.
Leading ACT Foundation
Under Alile’s leadership, ACT Foundation has grown into a major force supporting development initiatives across Africa. The organisation funds local, national, and regional nonprofits working in four priority areas: health, entrepreneurship, environment, and leadership. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported more than 85 nonprofits operating in 12 African countries. According to publicly available data, these initiatives have reached over 2.9 million direct beneficiaries and impacted more than 1,200 communities.
Notable milestones under her leadership include: Cancer screening for over 22,000 individuals, STEM education for more than 2,000 girls, planting of over 3,000 trees to address environmental challenges, and civic engagement initiatives reaching approximately 1.5 million Nigerians.
Other roles and affiliations
Beyond ACT Foundation, Alile sits on the boards of several prominent Nigerian organisations, including House of Tara, Zapphaire Events, and Global Dignity. She is a Fellow of the African Leadership Network and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Alile is also a regular speaker at global conferences and consults widely on nonprofit strategy and sustainability.
Osayi Alile remains a prominent voice in Africa’s development ecosystem. Through ACT Foundation and her broader engagements, she continues to advocate for policies and partnerships that enable long-term community resilience and sustainable impact.
