Fatmata Nippe Momoh

Fatmata Nippe Momoh (born 28 December 1966 in Koidu, Sefadu, Sierra Leone) is a respected Sierra Leonean philanthropist, and advocate for women’s leadership and empowerment. She is best known as the wife of the late President Joseph Saidu Momoh, who served as the second President of Sierra Leone from 1985 to 1992, and as the convener of the Coalition of Former Presidents’ Wives and First Ladies, a continental initiative uniting women who have held the position of First Lady across Africa.

Early Life and Education

Fatmata Nippe Momoh was born to Alhaji Ibrahim Shaw and Mariam Emmafal Shaw in the diamond-rich town of Koidu, Sefadu, in eastern Sierra Leone. Raised in a disciplined, faith-rooted household, she developed a strong sense of compassion and leadership from an early age. She attended Koidu Islamic Secondary School, where her intelligence, community spirit, and drive to uplift others became evident.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1986, while still a young woman, Fatmata met Major General Joseph Saidu Momoh, who at the time was an emerging figure in Sierra Leone’s military and political landscape. The two married shortly thereafter, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership that blended public service with family life.

Their union was blessed with three children:
        •       Joseph Saidu Momoh Jr. (born 1987)
        •       Alim Joshua Momoh
        •       Mariam Momoh

In addition to her biological children, Fatmata’s home has always been a place of love and inclusion. She has adopted and raised five children: Abdul Kalokoh, Isatu Shaw, Samuella Henry Momoh, Ibrahim Shaw, and Fati Momoh, all of whom she nurtured with the same care and guidance she gave her own.

Community and Humanitarian Work in Guinea

Following her husband’s presidency, Fatmata Nippe Momoh lived for a period in Conakry, Guinea, where she dedicated her time to humanitarian work, especially among Sierra Leonean refugees displaced by the civil war. She became known for her compassion and hands-on leadership in bringing refugees together, uniting and empowering women, and establishing income-generating programmes in tailoring and tie-dye (gara). Through these initiatives, she helped over 180 women graduate into self-sustaining livelihoods, significantly improving their quality of life.

Women’s Empowerment and National Leadership

In 2010, upon returning to Sierra Leone, Fatmata founded a community women’s organization that focused on advancing women’s social and economic inclusion. This initiative laid the groundwork for her broader impact in women’s development nationwide.

During the Ebola outbreak, she mobilized her newly formed National Marketing Organization (NMO) a network of 72 markets across the country to carry out an extensive Ebola sensitization campaign in Freetown. The campaign culminated in the largest single-day public health parade, stretching from Adonkia to Waterloo, promoting awareness and prevention across local communities.

After relocating briefly to the United States in 2015, she returned to Sierra Leone reinvigorated and continued her work in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, supporting local farmers with seeds, fertilizer, and rice. Under her leadership, the NMO expanded nationwide, launching new regional chapters and empowering rural women and farmers through training, loans, and microenterprise initiatives.

Recent Work and Continental Vision

Fatmata Nippe Momoh’s commitment to service and leadership continues to grow. In 2024, she led the formation of the Coalition of Former Presidents’ Wives and First Ladies, an initiative designed to unite former First Ladies across Africa. Through this coalition, she champions dignity, welfare, and social recognition for women who have stood beside national leaders, while also creating platforms for them to use their experiences to support governance, peacebuilding, and community development.

Legacy and Personal Philosophy

Throughout her life, Fatmata Nippe Momoh has exemplified humility, resilience, and a deep sense of service. From her early days in Koidu to her years as First Lady, and later as a continental women’s leader, she has consistently translated personal experience into meaningful advocacy and social impact. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful:

“Empowering women is not just about creating opportunities for them, it is about building stronger families, stronger markets, and stronger nations.”

Today, she remains a symbol of grace and purpose, balancing her roles as a mother, mentor, and leader, while continuing to inspire women across Sierra Leone and Africa to lead with compassion and courage.