We were lifted to lift others
LIFT Initiative is a faith-inspired, community-focused non-profit working to close the gaps that keep Nigerian families from living with dignity and purpose.
Born from a painful background, driven by a powerful vow
My name is Pastor Francis Oluwalade, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Francis & Foluke Oluwalade LIFT Initiative. I was born from a painful background but driven by a powerful vow.
Coming from a very poor family background, and growing up as a fatherless boy from my formative years, I tasted hardship in its raw form: lack, rejection, hunger, and suffering that no child should endure.
In the midst of that suffering, I made a vow to God and to myself:
“If God ever lifts me, no one around me will suffer the same kind of suffering I went through.”
That vow became our life's purpose.
What started as little drops of help from little income has, for over 30 years, become a deliberate family lifestyle of lifting others. God has been merciful to us, and out of gratitude, we have dedicated our lives and resources to lift others from where we were.
That is why LIFT Initiative was born.
Pastor Francis & Pastor (Mrs) Foluke Oluwalade
Helping people rise, and keep rising
From povertyto opportunity
From limited accessto education
From being left behindto moving forward
Three decades of lifting
For over thirty years, God has helped our family consistently affect lives through:
Children's education sponsorship
Paying school fees and providing educational materials for indigent children to keep them in school.
Care for orphans, widows and the aged
Showing love and providing food, financial support and care for those forgotten by society.
Support for small business owners
Giving petty traders and small business owners capital to grow and sustain their businesses.
Feeding the poor and hungry
Regular food outreaches to feed the hungry and less privileged in our communities.
Skill acquisition programmes
Training youths, men and women in vocational skills and setting them up with tools to start and practise.
Free medical outreaches
Providing free medical checks, drugs and health care support to everyone in need.
LIFT Initiative's current programmes are listed on What We Do.
For us, this Initiative is beyond an NGO. It is a calling, a thanksgiving to God who lifted us, and a covenant to ensure that our past pain produces a better future for others.
We were lifted to lift others. And by God's grace, we will keep lifting.
Francis & Foluke Oluwalade
God lifted us, to lift others.
To see communities across Nigeria flourish from within, where every individual, no matter their background or station in life, enjoys access to education, opportunities, healthcare, and human dignity, sustained by the collective strength of empowered people and hearts committed to service.
To empower individuals and transform communities across Nigeria by providing financial and business skills to artisans, quality education to indigent children, free healthcare to the vulnerable, welfare support to the poor, specialist care for orphans and the elderly, missionary support, and structured training for holistic human development, anchored in faith, compassion, and excellence.
What guides every programme
Compassion
We serve with empathy, dignity, and genuine care.
Integrity
We operate with transparency and accountability in all we do.
Excellence
We commit to high-quality service delivery in every programme.
Faith
Our work is rooted in the conviction that every human life has divine worth.
Sustainability
We build programmes that create lasting impact, not dependency.
Inclusivity
We serve without discrimination of tribe, religion, or social status.
Who we serve
LIFT is openly founded on Christian values. Our programmes serve everyone, regardless of tribe, religion or background, and no one is ever asked to take part in religious activity in order to receive support.
Help us lift the next person
Sponsor a pupil, back an entrepreneur, or partner with us on a programme. Every gift is accounted for.