By Palma Ileye
ActionAid Nigeria has appointed renowned broadcaster and communications expert Ayo Mairo-Ese and development policy specialist Dr. Otive Igbuzor to its Board of Directors as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation’s governance and strategic leadership.
The appointments, which take immediate effect, are expected to bolster the organisation’s work in strategic communications, public policy, advocacy and institutional development as it implements its 2024–2034 Country Strategy Paper, Citizens’ Action to End Poverty and Injustice (CAEPI).
Announcing the appointments in a statement issued in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, said both individuals bring exceptional experience and credibility that will further enhance the organisation’s impact.
According to him, the appointments will support ActionAid Nigeria’s efforts to deepen partnerships with communities, civil society organisations, government institutions and other development stakeholders in tackling poverty and inequality.
Mamedu described Mairo-Ese and Igbuzor as accomplished professionals whose expertise aligns with the organisation’s mission of promoting social justice and inclusive development.
“Mrs. Mairo-Ese and Dr. Igbuzor bring exactly the calibre of insight and integrity our Board needs at this moment. We are confident that their guidance will sharpen our voice and strengthen our impact in the years ahead,” he said.
Mairo-Ese, popularly known as AME Global, is a co-anchor of The Morning Show on ARISE News Channel. She is an award-winning broadcaster, media and communications consultant, public speaker and event host, recognised for moderating high-level discussions on governance, leadership and national development.
She was listed among Nigeria’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism in 2023 and 2024 and has received several honours, including the 2024 ELOY Award for TV Presenter of the Year.
Beyond broadcasting, she is the co-founder of the SpeakHer Hub Network, a social enterprise promoting women’s empowerment through communication, and serves on the boards of several organisations, including Basic Education Africa, the WiCare Lekota Foundation and the Praying Women Circle.
She also co-founded ELAME Media Company, an events production and public relations firm.
Dr. Igbuzor is a pharmacist, public policy analyst, governance expert and human rights advocate with more than three decades of experience in development and institutional reform.
He is the Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and previously served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate during the Ninth National Assembly.
A former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria between 2004 and 2009, Igbuzor later became International Head of Campaigns for ActionAid International. He has also served as a Commissioner of the Police Service Commission representing civil society and previously worked with the Centre for Democracy and Development.
A prolific author with dozens of academic publications and books, Igbuzor has held several leadership positions in professional and civil society organisations. In 2012, he was appointed by former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the Global Network of Men Leaders to End Violence Against Women.
Both new board members expressed their commitment to supporting ActionAid Nigeria’s mission of advancing social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication across the country.
ActionAid Nigeria is an affiliate of the ActionAid International Federation, which operates in 45 countries, working with vulnerable communities to promote social justice, end poverty and eliminate all forms of injustice.
