About us

Our story

Christianna Foundation was founded by Nigerian-born Omonike Akinjide, known as Nike. Nike had a strong desire to make a difference to the children of Nigeria through education, which led her to begin the charity in the name of her grandmother, Madam Christianna Oladimeji Oladapo.

Madam Oladapo gave her all to see her children educated, even though she was not educated herself. Her many years of dedication and sacrifice paved the way for Nike’s father, Prof. Ifedayo Olawole Oladapo, to receive a scholarship and graduate with a first from St Andrews University in Scotland, and later receive a PhD from Cambridge University. Prof. Oladapo went on to spend his life educating students in Nigeria and devoting himself to community service. Christianna Foundation continues that legacy of giving back to Nigeria through education.

Having made her home in England, Nike visited Nigeria with her two young children. While in Oyo State they visited a school where Nike’s mother-in-law, Elizabeth Adesola Akinjide, was patron, and saw the conditions in which the bright young minds of Nigeria were struggling to learn. Seeing the huge gap between what these children had and the opportunities her own children enjoyed in the UK, Nike felt compelled to act. Returning to London, she founded Christianna Foundation in 2012 with the aim of bringing joy and education to the children of Nigeria.

Every child deserves a chance.

In continued support of her vision, and in loving memory of Omonike Akinjide, Founder, Christianna Foundation

Our supporters

We are grateful to the organisations that support our work.