Chief Mrs Leila Euphemia Apinke Fowler, the respected Yeye Mofin of Lagos and founder of the renowned Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, has died at the age of 92.
Her death was confirmed by Bashorun J.K. Randle, who told journalists that the educationist and community leader passed away on Saturday morning.
Born on March 23, 1933, in Lagos, Leila Fowler (née Moore) lived a remarkable life of service, breaking boundaries across education, law, nursing, and politics.
She studied at CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, and Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, before training as a nurse in London at the prestigious St Thomas’ Hospital. Later, she was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1962 and returned to Nigeria to begin her legal practice.
Beyond law, Fowler served as a councillor in the Lagos City Council and contributed significantly to the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Red Cross, and the Corona Schools Trust Council.
In 1991, she founded the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in memory of her late daughter, building it into one of Nigeria’s most respected all-girls schools.
Her service and contributions earned her the chieftaincy title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos from Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II.
Remembered as a silent achiever, Fowler’s legacy continues to inspire generations of women and leaders across Nigeria.
