From Aso Pada Nigeria to Creating Limitless Opportunities for Girls Through Digital Education: Meet Abigail Festus
As we celebrate Black History Month, we shine a spotlight on Abigail Festus. She serves as the Executive Director of the FAB Treasure Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls through education on feminine hygiene, providing free sanitary pads, and equipping them with knowledge of digital transformation. Abigail’s tireless efforts inspire hope and pave the way for a brighter future for young girls everywhere.
Tell us about your journey:
Growing up, I always felt a deep connection to the struggles and dreams of young girls. I saw their potential, often overshadowed by barriers like limited opportunities, societal expectations, and misinformation. I knew in my heart that I wanted to help them rise above these challenges and live fulfilling, empowered lives. This passion was the foundation of my journey.
In 2016, I decided to take a bold step and entered a beauty pageant. For me, it wasn’t about the crown, fame, or glamour. I wanted a platform—a starting point to amplify my voice and reach more girls. Though I didn’t win, the experience fueled my resolve to find another way to make my passion a reality. That determination led me to seek growth, education, and experience.
Between 2016 and 2020, I used this time to prepare myself for the vision I carried. I participated in programs like the Female and More 30-Day Self-Esteem Challenge, which helped me build confidence and clarity. I also volunteered at the Mariam Ashley Yusuf Foundation, where I gained hands-on experience working with young people. These experiences were invaluable and they prepared me for the work that I do today.
In August 2020, I founded the FAB Treasure Foundation—a non-governmental organization dedicated to ensuring that young women and girls are well-guided, educated, inspired, and empowered. Since then, it has been a journey of turning challenges into opportunities and passion into real impact.
So far, with the FAB Treasure Foundation, we’ve impacted the lives of over 10,000 women and girls in rural communities and secondary schools. Our programs focus on menstrual health and hygiene, providing free sanitary pads to fight period poverty. We also train girls in digital skills, ranging from basic computer literacy to advanced technologies like coding, robotics, and blockchain. This work not only equips them for the future but also ensures they are not left behind in the digital revolution.
The impact of our work has been humbling. It has attracted media attention, with features on national television, print media, radio, and social media platforms highlighting our efforts. These stories are not just about the foundation—they are about the girls whose lives are being transformed. Knowing that our work is inspiring others to join the movement for girl child empowerment keeps me motivated.
For me, this journey is a lifelong commitment. Together, with our partners, volunteers, and supporters, we are building a world where every girl has the tools, knowledge, and confidence to rise, thrive, and lead.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
The journey to my current path started with a deeply personal experience. Growing up in Aso Pada, a rural community, I witnessed firsthand the harsh reality of period poverty—(the lack of access to menstrual health and hygiene education and management facilities). It was not just something I observed; it was something I lived.
I still remember the day my first period arrived. I was completely unprepared. There had been no conversations, no education, and no prior knowledge. When I saw the blood, I was scared, confused, and embarrassed. The silence surrounding menstruation in my community only deepened the stigma. Like so many other girls, I was unintentionally forced to face period stigmatization, period shaming and also the lack of access to sanitary pads. I remember resorting to using pieces of clothes and tissues at different times to manage my period just to avoid missing school and the embarrassment that comes with being stained.
Maturing to see that this is still a sad reality for most girls became a driving force behind my commitment to breaking the cycle of period poverty and fighting the stigma surrounding menstruation.The second defining moment came when I started working with young girls through our outreach programs. Watching the transformation of the girls has been profoundly inspiring. I’ve seen girls go from shy and uncertain to bold and assured, simply because they were empowered with information about their bodies and given access to sanitary products.These moments reaffirm my belief in the power of small actions. A single sanitary pad, a simple conversation, and a moment of reassurance can spark a ripple effect of change in a girl’s life.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned about yourself through your life and career?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned about myself is that resilience is my superpower. Life has thrown countless challenges my way, ranging from self doubt, societal resistance, funding challenges and also balancing my role as the Executive Director of FAB Treasure Foundation and a demanding 9-to-5 job. But every setback has taught me something extraordinary: the power to rise, stronger and more determined.
Secondly, over time, I have also grown to learn that my worth is not defined by accolades, titles,or external validation. It lies in the lives I have touched and the communities I have impacted.
Every girl who feels seen and empowered, every young woman who finds her voice, and every story of transformation reminds me that this work is bigger than me.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
What drives my desire to contribute and make a difference is a blend of personal experience and the stories of countless girls that I have encountered. I’ve seen firsthand how something as natural as menstruation can become a barrier to education, social participation, and self-confidence due to lack of access, stigma, or misinformation. These experiences have inscribed a deep commitment in my heart to ensure no girl ever feels unseen or excluded because of her biological reality.
Beyond this, I firmly believe that young women and girls are one of the greatest untapped resources of the 21st century. When given the right tools, opportunities, and support, they possess an extraordinary capacity to shape communities, challenge systems, and lead global transformations. Investing in their empowerment is not just an act of fairness—it is a catalyst for progress on every front.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
If I could go back and advise my younger self, I would say, “Dear Abigail, You Are Good Enough.” Be bold, be fearless and be kind to yourself. Understand that your dreams are valid and achievable, embrace the process, and trust in the timing of your life. Most importantly, trust God. He holds the blueprint for your future and is faithful enough to guide you every step of the way and bring you safely into the future that he has prepared for you.
How can GlobalMindED help you with your goals?
My goal is to reach and positively impact over 1 million women and girls by 2030, focusing on menstrual health and hygiene education, providing free sanitary pads, and offering digital skills training.
GlobalMindED can support my aspirations by becoming a key partner in our mission. Through your platform, we can collaborate with like-minded organizations and connect with a global network of individuals and entities committed to empowering women and girls. By facilitating these connections, GlobalMindED will help us secure critical resources, including donations of sanitary pads and digital training programs, enabling us to expand our reach and scale our impact to underserved communities.
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