Our institute is dedicated to Restoring Broken Reeds.
St. Magdalen Institute (SMI) is a global social enterprise committed to empowering teenage mothers through education, vocational training, and structured support systems. Founded in Finland, SMI leverages the strength of the Finnish education model to provide young mothers with practical skills, high school completion programs, and access to professional diplomas.
We operate by partnering with governments, vocational institutions, corporations, and NGOs to deliver accessible education that ensures young mothers can study while their infants receive proper care. Our approach creates sustainable employment, fuels economic independence, and helps reshape the future of teenage motherhood across Africa, South America, Asia, and beyond.
At SMI, we believe that motherhood should not be a barrier to education but a motivation for a better future.
• Empowerment Through Vocational education degree programs of 2 and half years
Empower up to 500 teenage mothers annually by providing vocational skills/Diploma that open pathways to financial independence, confidence, and personal growth.
• Decent Job Placement Success: Achieve a 75% job placement rate for our graduates within six months of completing the Degree program, allowing them to find employment opportunities either within their home countries or abroad. These placements ensure that young mothers are self-sufficient contributors to their new communities, should they choose to live outside their home country, rather than dependents.
• Fostering Family Growth and Stability: Ensure that 100% of graduates can continue living in their home country if desired, allowing them to nurture and raise their children through all stages of growth. Our program promotes the stability and family connection critical to both mother and child, facilitating a balanced journey into adulthood and maturity.
• Pathways to Wealth Creation and Personal Autonomy: Equip each young woman with the skills and confidence to build wealth for herself and her children on her own terms. Graduates are empowered to embrace a future of self-determination and meaningful work.
• A Vision of Joyful Motherhood: Envision a world where children grow up happier, with less struggle, held in the arms of empowered mothers. St. Magdalen Institute graduates are given the tools to lead fulfilled lives with the freedom to cherish and nurture their children, creating stronger, happier community
A Vision for Change Across Africa
• St. Magdalen Institute is not just an education center; it is a lifeline for young single mothers across Africa. We are committed to bringing quality Finnish vocational education to teenage mothers across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. Our mission is to equip these young women with the skills, knowledge, and hope they need to rebuild their lives, uplift their families, and reshape their communities. I know what it’s like to be that girl on the streets, desperate for a second chance. And I am here to give them that chance.
If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family & nation.. (Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey)
SMI is dedicated to transforming the lives of teenage mothers by providing access to world-class Finnish vocational education and skill-based training. We collaborate with polytechnics, technical schools, and social services to create a seamless learning system that allows young mothers to complete their studies while ensuring their children receive proper care. Our mission is to break cycles of poverty, create sustainable employment opportunities, and empower young women globally—one country at a time.
Our mission is guided by three core pillars:
1. Educational Realignment: Supporting students in primary and secondary levels to catch up academically and re-align with their peers, with specialized assistance that helps balance academic tasks with the responsibilities of motherhood.
2. Mother-Child Connection: Understanding the unique needs of each young mother and her child, we believe in keeping them together. Our on-site daycare facilities provide a nurturing, engaging space where children can thrive in a creative learning environment, allowing mothers to focus on their education.
3. Skill-Based Learning: Creating a practical, skill-based curriculum to empower young mothers with vocational skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and personal growth tools, fostering self-sufficiency and community impact.
• St. Magdalen Institute envisions a future where every teenage mother has the support, education, and confidence to achieve sustainable livelihoods and contribute to lasting, positive change within their communities
Magdalen Ogbomon is a visionary entrepreneur. A systems thinker. A social architect.
This mission isn’t abstract — it’s lived. I became a mother as a teenager. And that moment, more than anything else, showed me the cracks.
Cracks in education. In opportunity. In support for young parents — especially mothers — who are written off too early.
Today, I build what wasn’t there for me. Programs that empower. Systems that restore dignity. Paths that don’t leave people behind.
I don’t bring theories. I bring truth. Grit. Lived experience.
I’m not here to blend in. I’m here to redesign what was never meant for us
and shift the narrative entirely
+358 44 2404420
Fatima Muritala is SMI’s Communications and Project Manager, leading strategic campaigns and projects that enhance the organization’s visibility, stakeholder engagement, and global impact.
+234 903 305 6312
Anna Fatima Sambou is an experienced business development and IT talent specialist dedicated to social change. As SMI Ambassador for The Gambia, she champions people-centered leadership, innovation, and impact-driven solutions.
With over a decade of global experience across Africa, Asia, and Europe, Anna combines expertise in IT talent and inclusive tech ventures like MunKamu Oy in Finland, focused on aging societies.
She proudly leads SMI’s “Teenage Motherhood: Realignment to Revolution” campaign, advocating for young mothers’ education, opportunities, and systemic change across Africa.
A recognized tech leader and Nordic Women in Tech Awards judge, Anna brings passion, empathy, and strategic insight to all her work
+358 44 2374471
Precious is our talented Social Media Manager and Graphic Designer at St. Magdalene Institute. With a creative flair and expertise in digital communication, she plays a vital role in shaping our online presence and engaging our community. Her innovation, dedication, and eye for design make her an essential part of our team.
+2347061114680
Dr. Fatima Mufidah Ibrahim Fari, is a clinical pharmacy PharmD
Children’s Health Lead, at St. Magdalen institute (SMI )
As a Doctor of Pharmacy, I bring my clinical expertise and passion for community health to supporting teenage mothers in caring for their babies safely and confidently. Many of these young mothers are still children themselves, and the challenges of managing a baby’s symptoms such as the fever and discomfort that can accompany teething can be overwhelming.
My commitment is to ensure that these mothers understand proper medication use and avoid the risks of over-dosing in an effort to comfort their babies. Through education, guidance, and hands-on support, I help them navigate safe symptom management, healthy routines, and responsible healthcare decisions.
At SMI, I oversee children’s health matters and work closely with young mothers to promote safe hygiene practices, proper use of baby care utensils, and a strong foundation in practical child health. My goal is to empower every teenage mother with the knowledge and confidence needed to raise healthy, thriving babies
+234 814 798 4704
