Adesewa Oyinloye is the founder of The Sisi Empowerment Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on education, youth and leadership development and the empowerment of girls and women. She is the host of this Women’s Day Conference. Through Sisi Empowerment Foundation, she leads programs that provide scholarships, school materials, mentorship and training to help young people succeed in school and develop leadership skills. The organization also runs community programs and school outreaches that equip youth with the right tools for personal growth and leadership.
Adesewa is also a sought-after speaker and coach. She has spoken at various physical and online events on topics including leadership, personal development, career development, personal branding, purpose, vision and more. She coaches and mentors young women, guiding them to maximize their full potential. Her work has earned recognition through nominations for prestigious awards, including the Hexa Media Africa + Giving Tuesday Awards and The Diana Awards.
In addition to her work with The Sisi Empowerment Foundation, Adesewa is an accomplished author. She has published different books, both in hard copy and digital formats, covering themes like leadership, self-development and faith. Her writing aims to help readers maximize their full potential. ”IN THE SPACE BETWEEN” is her latest work. Adesewa also owns Novafri Limited, a writing and communications agency that specializes in ghostwriting, pitch decks, investor applications, grant writing, book publishing, social media management and PR and press features. Through her agency, she helps individuals, entrepreneurs and organizations tell their stories, share their expertise, gain visibility and secure funding. She helps them turn their ideas into tangible results that make an impact.
Across all her endeavors, Adesewa is driven by a passion for storytelling, empowerment and creating opportunities for growth. Whether through her books, her NGO or her writing and communications agency, she focuses on helping people and organizations achieve their potential and leaving a lasting, meaningful impact.
Adesewa speaks exclusively to Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable on International Women’s Day
Excerpts:
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am the founder of The Sisi Empowerment Foundation (HEY SISSY), a non-profit organization focused on education, youth development and leadership development for girls, boys and women. My work centers on helping people grow into their full potential. I have always believed that many people carry gifts, abilities and dreams inside them, but sometimes they just need encouragement, guidance, tools or the right environment to discover those things. Through HEY SISSY, we try to create that kind of environment where young people, especially girls and women, can grow, learn, and believe more in what is possible for their lives.
What inspired you to start HEY SISSY?
During my NYSC year, I remember sitting behind some ladies and listening to the kind of things they were saying about themselves, their future, and their possibilities. As I listened to the conversation, something about it disturbed me. Many of them were speaking from a place of limitation. They didn’t believe they could do much with their lives. Some had already given up on certain dreams because they felt it was not possible for them. I remember thinking to myself, “Something needs to change about how we see ourselves.” It was clear to me that many young women needed a mindset shift. They needed to begin to see themselves differently. So I started small. I created a group where we could talk about growth, mindset, purpose and personal development. It was just a space where we could encourage one another and have conversations about becoming better. That small group later grew into what we now know today as The Sisi Empowerment Foundation.
Were you already doing similar work before starting the organization?
Yes, in a way. Even before HEY SISSY officially started, I had already begun sharing encouraging messages on my social media. I used to write letters where I would talk about life, growth, self-belief and purpose. Interestingly, I had already started using the name HEY SISSY for those letters. Looking back now, I realize that those letters were actually the beginning of the vision. The organization came later, but the heart behind the work had already started before then.
What does the name HEY SISSY represent to you?
The name itself is very intentional. When you say “Hey Sissy,” it sounds like someone calling your attention in a warm and personal way. It feels like a sister speaking to another sister. That is the spirit behind the organization. We want women and girls to feel like they are not alone, like someone is speaking to them, encouraging them, and reminding them that they have value. Sometimes, people don’t need complicated solutions. Sometimes, they just need someone to say, “You matter, and your life can become something meaningful.”
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is “Give to Gain.” What does that mean to you?
To me, “Give to Gain” means that when we give support, knowledge, encouragement or opportunity to women, everyone benefits. Sometimes people think giving means losing something, but that is not always true. For example, when you teach someone a skill, you have not lost the skill. Now two people can do that thing. When you encourage someone who is struggling, you may have changed the direction of their life. When women help other women grow, families become stronger and communities become better. So for me, “Give to Gain” is about understanding that lifting others does not reduce you. It actually multiplies the good that can happen in the world. That is something I strongly believe in.
How does HEY SISSY practice the idea of “Give to Gain”?
At HEY SISSY, “Give to Gain” is something we practice every time. One of the ways we do this is by carrying out leadership programs in schools to help the students develop their leadership abilities. We also support students who may not have the resources to stay in school. We pay their school fees so that they can continue their education without that burden stopping them. We also donate textbooks to schools because we understand that learning becomes easier when students have the right materials. In some cases, we also provide school uniforms for students whose families may not be able to afford them. In addition to what we do, we also organize programs that help women grow in confidence, leadership and personal development. Sometimes, what we are giving is knowledge. Sometimes, it is encouragement. Sometimes, it is money. Sometimes, it is a space where someone can be heard and guided. But the interesting thing is that when people grow through these experiences, they often go on to help others as well. So the impact spreads. That is what “Give to Gain” looks like in real life.
What part of your work brings you the most fulfillment?
The most fulfilling part is seeing people change the way they see themselves. There is something powerful about watching someone who once doubted themselves begin to believe that their life can actually become something meaningful. Sometimes it starts with small changes – someone becoming more confident, someone deciding to pursue an opportunity, someone choosing not to give up. These remind me why the work matters.
What message would you like to share with women on International Women’s Day?
My message is this: Every woman carries something valuable inside her. Sometimes life experiences can make people doubt themselves, but that does not erase their potential. Women should be supported, encouraged and given opportunities to grow. Because when women grow, families grow, communities grow, and society becomes better. International Women’s Day is a reminder that investing in women is not just good for women; it is good for everyone.
What are your hopes for the future of HEY SISSY?
My hope is that HEY SISSY will continue to grow and reach even more young people across different communities. Right now, we have been able to support students by carrying out leadership programs in their schools, paying school fees, donating textbooks to schools, and providing uniforms for some children who need them. In the future, I would love to see HEY SISSY expand this work so that we can support even more students and carry out more programs that help young people develop themselves. Beyond that, I want it to remain a place where young women and girls can discover their abilities, develop themselves and gain the confidence to pursue meaningful lives. The goal is to keep helping people see what is possible for them.
