Esther Ahudiyu Mangzha is a Nigerian educational planner and administrator who served as Director‐General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) and has held a range of senior positions in Borno State before transferring to the federal civil service. After retirement she founded the Integrated Women and Youth Empowerment Centre (IWAYEC) to support vulnerable women, youths and children, and currently partners with the Victims Support Fund to assist those affected by insurgency in the Northeast.
Early life and education.
Mangzha was born in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. She began her formal schooling at Native Authority Primary School, Uba (1960–1965). She trained as a teacher at Women Teachers' College in Maiduguri (1966–1970) before earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1974–1978). She later completed postgraduate studies at the University of Jos (1983–1985) and holds a PhD in Educational Planning and Administration from the University of Maiduguri.
Career.
Mangzha's civil-service career spans more than three decades across local, state and federal levels:
Throughout her career she also served on numerous committees and associations, including the National Council of Women Societies, MAMSER, National Directorate of Employment and as State Leader of the Women in Action Brigade.
IWAYEC and advocacy.
After retiring from the federal civil service, Mangzha founded the Integrated Women and Youth Empowerment Centre (IWAYEC), an NGO that provides vocational training, capacity building, peace education and gender-based violence support to women, youths, orphans and widows in rural communities. Under her leadership, IWAYEC has partnered with the Victims Support Fund to assist survivors of insurgency-related sexual and gender-based violence in Northeast Nigeria.
Publications.
Mangzha has authored nine books on family life, women's empowerment and nutrition, including:
Personal life.
Mangzha is married to Titus Alakirawa Gwagwa Mangzha; they have five sons and four daughters. Her interests include travelling, writing, adventure, counselling and handicrafts.