ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Her Excellency Madame Aïssata Issoufou, First Lady of Niger, was one of the first women in her country to turn to scientific education. In 1986, she obtained a master’s degree in chemistry at the only university in her country, followed by a Master’s in advanced studies in Exploitation and Development of Underground Resources. She then obtained an Expert Diploma in Mineral development at the Higher

School of Geology of NANCY in France. Returning to

Niger, she created a General Engineering Study Firm.

Very active in the trade union movement, Aïssata Issoufou was also involved in politics, notably within the Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS TARRAYA), chaired by her husband, Issoufou Mahamadou.

Now First Lady, Aïssata

Issoufou is devoted to social and humanitarian action to accompany and support her husband’s presidency and strengthen the visibility of his governance. As First Lady of Niger, she thus plays a very active role in several First Lady networks including, among others, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and the Organization of First Ladies of Africa for Peace.

In order to fully and effectively achieve her objectives, the

First Lady of Niger has created an instrument that meets her ambition, namely the Guri

Vie Meilleure Foundation, which means “My ambition for a better life”. The overall objective of her Foundation is to contribute to improving health, promoting quality education, and combating environmental degradation.