Founder of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls and Yeye Mofin of Lagos Leila Fowler has died at the age of 92.
Her death was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday by the management of the school she founded in 1991 in honour of her late daughter.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved founder, Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler, on Saturday, September 6, 2025,” the school announced.
“Chief (Mrs.) Fowler was a true pioneer, an erudite lawyer, and a visionary educationalist who founded Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in 1991. Her life was a testament to the power of empowering young women through education. Her guidance and motherly warmth built not just a school, but a community dedicated to excellence.”
Born in Lagos on March 23, 1933, Fowler (née Moore) had an illustrious career that spanned teaching, nursing, law, politics and education.
She attended CMS Girls’ School, Lagos and Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, where she obtained her Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1951.
She began her professional journey as a teacher before moving to London to train as a nurse at the prestigious St Thomas’ Hospital.
Her academic ambition took her further into law, where she studied at Middle Temple and was called to the English Bar in 1962.
Upon her return to Nigeria, she was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1963.
Her passion for education culminated in the establishment of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, a prestigious all-girls secondary school in Lagos.
The institution has since gained national recognition for academic excellence, discipline and leadership training, nurturing generations of young women.
In recognition of her contributions to education and society, Fowler was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos by Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II.
She was married to Professor Vidal Fowler, a surgeon and distinguished scholar, until his death in 2015.
Leila Fowler’s remarkable life embodied resilience, ambition and service.
