Toyin Saraki

Introduction: From Entertainment to Lifesaving Advocacy

Toyin Saraki is a distinguished Nigerian philanthropist, global health advocate, and the visionary Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA). While her early public profile was linked to the entertainment sphere as the wife of a former Senate President, Toyin Saraki has forged an unparalleled legacy in her own right as one of Africa's most influential voices for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). Her transition from the periphery of political and entertainment circles to the forefront of health advocacy underscores a profound commitment to systemic change. Her key achievement lies in founding and scaling the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, an organization that has directly impacted millions of lives across Nigeria and the continent through innovative health programs, midwifery training, and relentless policy advocacy. As the inaugural Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives and a special advisor to the World Health Organization, Toyin Saraki exemplifies how dedicated leadership can bridge gaps in healthcare delivery and save lives.

Early Life & Education: Laying the Foundation for Service

Born Oluwatoyin Ojora in 1965 into the prominent Ojora family of Lagos, Nigeria, Toyin Saraki was exposed to the ideals of public service and community leadership from a young age. Her upbringing in a socially conscious family instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility towards societal welfare. She pursued a quality education, which became the bedrock of her analytical and advocacy skills.

Toyin Saraki attended the prestigious University of London, where she earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree. She further honed her legal expertise at the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, obtaining a Master of Laws (LL.M). Her academic background in law provided her with a critical framework for understanding policy, governance, and human rights—tools she would later wield effectively in the health advocacy arena. A formative experience that profoundly shaped her life's mission was the tragic loss of her first child, a son, shortly after birth. This personal tragedy, stemming from what she identified as preventable gaps in healthcare, transformed her perspective and ignited an unwavering resolve to improve healthcare systems for mothers and babies, ensuring others would not endure similar pain.

Career & Major Achievements: Architect of Health System Change

The career trajectory of Toyin Saraki is a powerful narrative of turning personal grief into a catalyst for widespread societal impact. In 2004, she founded the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, initially focusing on broad health issues but quickly sharpening its mandate to tackle the unacceptably high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.

Building the Wellbeing Foundation Africa

Under her leadership, the WBFA launched groundbreaking, evidence-based programs. Key initiatives include:

• The Mamacare Antenatal and Postnatal Education Program: A structured, class-based intervention that has educated tens of thousands of women on pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care, significantly improving health outcomes.
• The Personal Health Record (PHR): An innovative booklet that empowers patients, particularly pregnant women, to own and manage their health data. This tool improves continuity of care and has been adopted as a national model.
• Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) & Midwifery Training: Recognizing the critical role of skilled birth attendants, the WBFA has invested heavily in training and equipping midwives across Nigeria, directly increasing the capacity of frontline health workers.

Global Advocacy and Policy Influence

Toyin Saraki's influence extends far beyond program implementation. She has leveraged her platform to advocate for policy changes at the highest levels. Her appointments include:

• Inaugural Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (2014).
• Special Advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (2018).
• Board Member of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents at the World Bank.

In these roles, she has championed increased investment in health workforce, stronger health systems, and the integration of gender-based violence prevention into MNCH services. Her advocacy was instrumental in Nigeria's commitment to the Every Woman Every Child movement and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through high-level engagements at the World Health Assembly, the United Nations General Assembly, and the African Union, she consistently places the health of women and children on the global agenda.

Personal Life & Legacy: A Multifaceted Leader

Toyin Saraki is married to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the former President of the Nigerian Senate and former Governor of Kwara State. While this connection placed her in the public eye within Nigeria's political and social entertainment circuits, she has meticulously carved out an independent identity defined by professional rigor and humanitarian impact. A mother of four, her personal experiences continue to fuel her public mission.

Her legacy is one of transformative leadership in global health. By combining grassroots program delivery with high-level policy advocacy, Toyin Saraki has created a sustainable model for change. She is widely respected for her hands-on approach, often visiting health facilities and communities to listen directly to the needs of women and health workers. The lasting impact of her work is measured not only in the millions of lives touched by WBFA programs but also in the strengthened policies and increased international attention to maternal health in Africa. She has inspired a new generation of advocates and demonstrated that with passion and persistence, systemic health challenges can be overcome.

Net Worth & Business Ventures

While Toyin Saraki's exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, her financial standing is understood to be anchored in a combination of family heritage, astute investments, and her professional endeavors. Her career has been primarily dedicated to philanthropic and advocacy work rather than commercial business ventures. The resources and influence associated with her family's background have undoubtedly provided a platform, which she has channeled entirely into humanitarian causes. Any financial success is viewed through the lens of enabling her advocacy; she is known to personally fund and mobilize resources for the Wellbeing Foundation Africa's initiatives. Her "business," in essence, is social change, with her capital being invested in training midwives, printing health records, and running life-saving educational programs. The return on investment is measured in lives saved and health systems improved, making her impact invaluable beyond monetary quantification.

For more information on her ongoing work, visit the Wellbeing Foundation Africa official website. Her policy insights can also be followed through her roles with the World Health Organization and other global health bodies.