Preston Development Foundation (PDF-Africa) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of every individual, especially women, young adults and persons living with disability (PWDs) through strategic empowerment initiatives.  

PDF-Africa strategically partner with the Government, private sectors, and civil society organizations to ensure access to quality and affordable healthcare services, for self-reliance through training and skill acquisition, and improve financial inclusion and advocacy efforts that lead to improved and better policies that foster empowerment in women, girls and young adults including PWDs.  

PDF-Africa focuses on key sectors including health, education, economic empowerment, and gender equality. Our commitment to sustainable development and impactful interventions drives us to create lasting change in the lives of those we serve. 

VISION

A society where every woman is valued, enabled and free to achieve her full potential.  

MISSION  

To empower individuals, especially women, to make informed decisions and create sustainable, positive change in their communities. 

OUR CORE VALUES

• Empathy: Our work is guided by compassion and a deep sense of responsibility toward creating meaningful change in the lives of individuals, especially women, girls and PWDs. 

• Sustainability: reflects our focus on creating long-term, impactful solutions that empower individuals, especially women, girls and PWDs while ensuring that our initiatives contribute to the enduring development and resilience of communities. 

• Commitment: reflects our unwavering dedication to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, persistently striving to make a lasting impact in the communities we serve. 

• Accountability: reflects our dedication to taking full responsibility for our actions, ensuring transparency, and consistently delivering on our promises to effectively support and empower individuals, especially women, girls and PWDs. 

• Passion: reflects our deep enthusiasm and unwavering drive to champion the rights and opportunities of individuals, especially women, girls, and PWDs, fuelling our relentless pursuit of positive change and transformative impact in their lives. 

• Integrity: Our work is guided by transparency, ethical practices, and unwavering honesty in all our actions and partnerships 

PDF-Africa as an organization has four objectives:  

• To increase the contribution of women to the Nigerian economy through promoting and facilitating financial inclusion   

• To increase girl enrolment and performance in public education in Nigeria as well as functional literacy for out-of-school girls  

• To promote gender equality and reduce gender-based violence through sensitization and advocacy.  

• To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality from preventable causes by promoting equitable access to quality healthcare.  

Why was PDF-Africa Established?  

In most regions of Nigeria, women are usually considered subordinate to their male counterparts, especially in Northern Nigeria and as such tend to receive inferior and lesser opportunities. Preston Development Foundation is a non-governmental organization, which was established, with the aim of bringing change to this notion by actively empowering women and advocating for gender equality in all sectors.  

OUR TEAM  

Our dedicated team of professionals boasts expertise in diverse fields such as health, economics, sociology, and project management. Drawing from our multidisciplinary backgrounds, we ensure high-quality and culturally sensitive interventions.  

OUR HISTORY 

In many regions of Nigeria, traditional cultural norms have historically placed women in subordinate roles compared to their male counterparts. This is particularly evident in Northern Nigeria, where gender disparities are often deeply entrenched in societal structures, leading to women receiving inferior opportunities in education, healthcare, employment, and political representation. These disparities not only limit the potential of women but also hinder the overall progress of communities and the nation at large. 

Recognizing the urgent need to challenge and change this narrative, Preston Development Foundation (PDF-Africa) was established in 2016 as a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to the empowerment of individuals, especially women and PWDs, and the promotion of gender equality. From its inception, the Foundation has been driven by the belief that true societal progress can only be achieved when women are given equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from the development of their communities. 

Our work is rooted in the understanding that gender equality is not just a women’s issue, but a fundamental human rights issue that affects the entire society. By empowering women, we aim to create a ripple effect that will lead to stronger families, more resilient communities, and a more prosperous nation. 

Since our establishment, Preston Development Foundation (PDF-Africa) has been actively engaged in various initiatives aimed at addressing the systemic barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential. Our programs focus on increasing access to quality education for girls, promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women, advocating for women’s health and reproductive rights, and combating gender-based violence. 

Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, international organizations, civil society groups, local communities and individuals, we have been able to implement impactful projects that have touched the lives of thousands of women across Nigeria. Our advocacy efforts have also contributed to the shaping of policies that promote gender equality and protect the rights of women. 

As we continue to grow and expand our reach, PDF-Africa remains committed to its mission of challenging the status quo, breaking down gender barriers, and building a society where women are recognized and valued as equal partners in development. We believe that by empowering women, we are not only improving their lives but also laying the foundation for a more just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria for all.