Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (born 20 July 1953) is a Nigerian aquaculturist, breast-cancer survivor, and public-health advocate whose life’s work has been defined by resilience, technical expertise, and civic engagement. From a professional career in fisheries to the national stage as First Lady of Ondo State (2017–2023), she has consistently linked personal experience with public service, using her platforms to advance women’s health and empowerment across Nigeria.
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Early Life and Education
Born in Imo State, Nigeria, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu pursued a path grounded in science and applied research. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1977, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Fisheries (Aquaculture) from the University of the Philippines Visayas. Her scientific background prepared her for a professional career with the Federal Department of Fisheries, where she worked for several years before venturing into aquaculture consultancy and commercial fish farming. These experiences developed her pragmatic, evidence-based approach to problem-solving a quality that later shaped her leadership in advocacy and development projects.
Battle with Cancer and the Birth of BRECAN
In 1997, Anyanwu-Akeredolu was diagnosed with breast cancer a life-changing moment that redefined her priorities and future mission. Following her successful treatment and recovery, she channelled her experience into advocacy by founding the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN).
BRECAN’s mission was clear: to increase awareness about breast cancer, encourage early detection, and support survivors. Under her leadership, the organisation conducted extensive outreach across Nigeria from urban hospitals to rural communities working to dismantle stigma and misinformation surrounding the disease. The association’s activities included free screening campaigns, counselling services, survivor networks, and partnerships with public and private health institutions.
Independent media reports and BRECAN’s own records confirm her pioneering role as founder and president, as well as the group’s national presence in shaping breast-cancer discourse and survivor support in Nigeria.
Public Service and the BEMORE Initiative
When her husband, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN), became Governor of Ondo State in 2017, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu leveraged her position as First Lady to scale up her advocacy and expand her reach. She launched the BEMORE (BeMore Empowered) initiative, a flagship empowerment programme designed to equip girls with life and digital skills.
BEMORE focused on ICT training, solar-energy technology, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. The project not only provided vocational skills but also created economic opportunities for young women and fostered confidence through mentorship and exposure to innovation. Reports from state events and civil-society partners document its regular training camps, community partnerships, and success stories of participants who went on to start their own ventures or pursue higher education in STEM fields.
Through BEMORE, Anyanwu-Akeredolu bridged health advocacy and gender empowerment, demonstrating that social progress requires addressing both education and economic independence.
Advocacy Approach and Public Impact
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s advocacy combines survivor testimony, community engagement, and institutional collaboration. Her message has remained consistent: breast cancer is survivable if detected early, and women’s health must be prioritised in public policy.
She worked to improve access to screening facilities, campaigned for better health infrastructure in underserved areas, and called for more investment in preventive care. As a survivor herself, she became a visible face of hope and courage, using her platform to humanise the statistics and encourage open conversation about women’s health — particularly in regions where cultural stigma discourages early medical intervention.
Her work with BRECAN and as First Lady of Ondo State significantly expanded Nigeria’s breast-cancer awareness landscape, drawing international attention to local initiatives through media coverage and speaking engagements.
Political Involvement and Challenges
In 2023, Anyanwu-Akeredolu entered active politics, contesting the All-Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Imo East Senatorial District. However, the process was marred by violence and irregularities, leading her to withdraw and publicly reject the primary results.
Her decision attracted national media attention, with reports highlighting both the contentious nature of internal party politics and the systemic challenges women face in electoral participation in Nigeria. The episode reflected her courage to engage with political processes despite structural barriers and underscored her broader advocacy for women’s representation in governance.
Personal Life and Continuing Advocacy
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu married Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in 1981, and their marriage produced four children. Her husband’s death in December 2023, following a prolonged illness, was widely reported in national media and confirmed through official state statements. Despite personal loss, she has continued her commitment to social causes, maintaining visibility in public-health advocacy and gender empowerment.
Her resilience in the face of personal adversity from surviving cancer to enduring bereavement has strengthened her image as a figure of courage and service.
Legacy and Influence
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s contributions extend beyond symbolism. They are tangible in the institutions she built, the programmes she sustained, and the social awareness she inspired. BRECAN remains one of Nigeria’s most active breast-cancer advocacy networks, and BEMORE continues to influence youth empowerment policy discussions across the country.
Her model of integrating technical skill, personal experience, and civic leadership demonstrates how individual initiative can transform public-health outcomes. In a society where women’s health and rights have often been neglected, her life work stands as a case study in how informed advocacy can produce measurable change.
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Author’s Note
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (b. 20 July 1953) is a breast-cancer survivor, founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), and former First Lady of Ondo State (2017–2023). Her scientific training in aquaculture, combined with her lived experience and public-service role, has shaped a life dedicated to early detection advocacy, survivor support, and women’s empowerment. Verified records confirm her founding of BRECAN in 1997, the launch of the BEMORE initiative during her tenure as First Lady, her 2023 bid for the Imo East senatorial ticket, and her husband’s death on 27 December 2023.
References
BRECAN About / Our Leadership. Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN).
“Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu withdraws from Imo East APC primary.” citing primary coverage from Vanguard and other national outlets.
Profile and advocacy reports. Radiant Health Magazine; Punch Newspaper.
