Oyelowo and Oscar-nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) are both involved with the foundation and coincidentally both British actors of Nigerian descent who have been friends since they were teenagers.
Oyelowo told THR his concern in helping improve the sexism, health and education standards in Nigeria has partly been fueled from watching the lives touched by Oprah, an influential woman whom he now calls a mother figure.
The money from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation will transform two schools in Nigeria, sponsored by Ejiofor and Oyelowo, providing children with the proper learning supplies (computers, books, notebooks) and medicine.
A portion of the funds will also be distributed to organizations directly working with the recovery of the rescued girls (who often come back traumatized and pregnant) from Boko Haram.
"I, of course, like a lot of people, was disturbed by the kidnapping of the girls in Chibok and the fact that this awful situation was very much around the idea of wanting girls in particular to not be educated," said Oyelowo.
"I think that's basically an attempt at not just ruining those girl's future but Nigeria's future."
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