Leila Fowler, Visionary Educator and Founder of Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Passes On

Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler, the Yeye Mofin of Lagos and founder of the prestigious Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, has died. She passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the age of 92.

Her passing was announced in a statement released by the school on Sunday. “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved founder, Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler,” it read. “She was a true pioneer, an erudite lawyer, and a visionary educationalist whose 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) was educated at CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, and later at Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, where she obtained her Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1951. She began her career in teaching before moving to the United Kingdom, where she trained as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Determined to broaden her academic path, she pursued law at Middle Temple and was called to the Bar in 1962. A year later, she returned to Nigeria to be called to the Nigerian Bar.

Her legal career blossomed, with specialisation in insurance law and consultancy. Beyond the courtroom, Fowler dedicated herself to public service, serving as a councillor in the Lagos City Council between 1978 and 1980. She was an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Red Cross, and the Corona Schools Trust Council.

Her greatest legacy, however, remains the founding of the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in 1991, established in memory of her late daughter. Today, the school is celebrated as one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions for girls’ education, noted for its culture of academic excellence and leadership training.

Fowler’s personal life was equally marked by service and love. She was married to Professor Vidal Fowler, a distinguished surgeon and scholar, until his passing in 2015. In recognition of her contributions to education and society, she was conferred the title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos by the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II.

Remembered as a devout Christian, a philanthropist, and a lover of music, Fowler leaves behind a towering legacy. “She will be deeply missed,” the school’s tribute noted. “Her legacy of service, faith, and dedication will continue to inspire us all.”