About Sheila Ojei
I work at the intersection of philanthropy in Africa, fundraising and partnerships, connecting organisations, ideas and capital to create sustainable impact.
I currently serve as Director of Philanthropy & Business Development at Plan International Nigeria, where I lead philanthropy, institutional fundraising, strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation in support of children’s rights and equality for girls.
My perspective on funding has been shaped by working across different sides of the development and capital ecosystem. My career has crossed the private sector, technology, government, enterprise development and international development, including leadership roles at Jobberman, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and the African Management Institute.
Across those experiences, one question has continued to interest me:
“Why does good work still go unfunded?”
Increasingly, I believe part of the answer lies in funding alignment: the intersection between an organisation’s mission, evidence, positioning, relationships and the priorities of those with capital.
That thinking led to my book, The Funding Code: Why Good Work Goes Unfunded and How to Change That.
Today, my writing, speaking and work explore philanthropy in Africa, fundraising and resource mobilisation, cross-sector partnerships, funding alignment, organisational fundability and findability.
I am particularly interested in the evolving relationship between African philanthropy, private capital and development, and what it will take to mobilise more resources for African-led solutions.
Areas of Focus
Philanthropy in Africa
Exploring the role of African philanthropy, corporate giving, foundations and emerging forms of capital in financing development.
Fundraising & Resource Mobilisation
Helping shift the conversation from chasing funding opportunities to building stronger funding strategies, relationships and organisations.
Partnerships
Exploring how the private, public and development sectors can create partnerships built around shared value and sustainable impact.
Funding Alignment & Fundability
Understanding what makes an organisation ready, credible and strategically positioned for funding.
Findability
Exploring how visibility, evidence, digital presence and increasingly AI affect whether organisations are discovered and trusted by potential funders and partners.