Chibuzor Mgbeokwere
Nigeria (Host: Development Gateway)Chibuzor Mgbeokwere is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning, demonstrating a strong commitment to driving impactful outcomes in both development and emergency context, especially in challenging operational environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education (BSc.) – University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria. Prior to her current role, Chibuzor was a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research, and Learning Specialist at Tonipash Energy from September 2022. She made substantial contributions to the improving clean energy initiatives, overseeing the research, development, and implementation of the Performance Monitoring Plan, and providing crucial leadership in M&E. Chibuzor’s career journey also includes her role as a Country Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer (Environmental Health) at the International Rescue Committee from Feb 2021 to September 2022. Here, she showcased her expertise in producing high-quality reports and played a pivotal role in ensuring M&E and reporting requirements were met for multi-donor funded projects in Northeast Nigeria. Furthermore, she has contributed her skills and knowledge to various organizations, including The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), Premiere Urgence Internationale, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative – SIDHAS Project, and World Health Organization (WHO), leaving a remarkable impact in the field of monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Chibuzor’s core competencies encompass strategic MEAL management, proficiency in database development, statistical analysis, data visualization, consultancy services, and project. She is fluent in English, Igbo, and Hausa languages, enhancing her ability to collaborate effectively in diverse multicultural settings. Her commitment to inclusive data and her proactive approach make her an invaluable asset in any professional environment.
Host Organization: Development Gateway
Role at Host Organization: As a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Fellow, Chibuzor, in the capacity of an associate, would have a MERL focus and work on synthesizing and analyzing various pieces of key information collected on the programs. The Fellow is expected to contribute to writing of knowledge products and reports. Additional work may involve supporting other programs at DG should time allow.
Farida Adamu
Nigeria (Host: Generation)Farida is a Data Professional with a diverse background spanning multiple sectors. Throughout her journey, Farida has honed her skills in research, data mining and analysis, and project evaluation. She possesses advanced proficiency in popular Python frameworks for Data Science, including Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, and Seaborn. Additionally, she is skilled in tools such as Alteryx, SQL, Excel, and Tableau, enabling her to effectively leverage business intelligence tools. Farida has a BS in Statistics and an MSc in Data Science.
Host Organization: Generation
Role at Host Organization: As a Data and Impacts Fellow, Farida will gain an understanding of Generation’s data operations and impact metrics, and onboard onto multiple projects in a key supporter role. The Fellow will be proficient in accessing and analyzing D&I data and become comfortable executing independent projects such as research support, data analysis,and synthesizing findings. The Fellow may work on advanced projects as well as work to close-out and transition
ongoing work and initiatives.
Angela Umoru-David
Nigeria (Host: Medici Road)Angela possesses four years of experience in both the nonprofit sector and media space. Currently, she is the Chief Operating Officer at Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI) where she supervises project implementation, organizational operations and communications. She manages diverse teams to provide access to clean water as well as sanitation and hygiene facilities, mental healthcare, voluntary blood donors through an artificial intelligence called J Match and promotes youth empowerment through volunteering. Most recently, she co-designed and implemented advocacy campaigns on mental health inclusion for PWDs and voluntary blood donation. She is also a writer and solutions journalist, whose work has explored maternal mortality, anti-corruption, climate change, mental health and food security, amongst other themes. As a World Literacy Foundation Ambassador (2020), she raised awareness on how illiteracy affects daily life by curating 112 ‘literacy stories’ which she shared on social media. Previously, she worked as Media and Communications Officer at Skills Outside School Foundation (SOSF) focusing on securing relevant partnerships and creating publicity for the Foundation’s work in life skill education through digital media and production of media materials. In the time she worked with SOSF, she raised the organization’s profile by increasing social media followership by over 80% and initiated partnership discussions with various organizations. She is certified by the University of California through Philanthropy University in developing Advocacy campaigns. Angela is most interested in improving inclusion in education, good governance and mental healthcare.
Host Organization: Medici Road
Role at Host Organization: As a Communications Analyst Fellow, Angela will assist in shaping, and executing, the audience engagement strategy and she will lead digital storytelling efforts for the organization. The Fellow will work side-by-side with senior staff to gain practical experience learning how to turn data and stories into infographics. Angela will also learn how to use software like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop and practice storytelling and community engagement skills with diverse stakeholder groups including residents and peer organizations.
Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo
Nigeria (Host: Deseret Management)Comfort is a communications professional with over five years of experience in internal and external communications in various industries like education, media (print and social media), professional training and research as well as operations. She worked as the COO at the KSE Network while also serving as a media account officer at The Alpha Reach. Comfort recently led the KSE Network’s team in a 3 months and 2 weeks training of 100 participants at the #MTNPulseBlowMyHustle campaign which recorded overwhelmingly positive feedback. At This Day Newspaper where she worked as a reporter, she had over 100 articles published in her maiden name (Comfort Umoren). Comfort has an MA (Distinction) and a BA (First Class) in Communication and Language Arts, both at the prestigious University of Ibadan and, an OND (Distinction) in Mass Communication at the former Lagos State Polytechnic. She runs a blog – Unwind With Kam4t, where she writes on issues that affect young professionals and entrepreneurs in a relaxed way.
Host Organization: Deseret Management Corporation
Role at Host Organization: As a Global Communications Fellow, Comfort will assist the global reach efforts of the Deseret Management Corporation, including expanding a mission-driven mandate to help media be a constructive, inclusive part of civil society, in particular as it relates to some of the oft-forgotten issues of faith and values. Comfort will assist in managing a diverse portfolio of activities and partnership in the communications realm. As the supervisor is also the CEO of the Radiant Foundation (the corporate foundation associated with the corporation), there will be ample opportunities to assist with projects that build partnerships and awareness around the foundation’s core issues. Comfort’s fellowship will focus on media brands, on communications, public relations and the nexus of how those issues impact society as a whole.
Chibuzor Mgbeokwere
Nigeria (Host: Development Gateway)Chibuzor Mgbeokwere is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning, demonstrating a strong commitment to driving impactful outcomes in both development and emergency context, especially in challenging operational environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education (BSc.) – University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria. Prior to her current role, Chibuzor was a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research, and Learning Specialist at Tonipash Energy from September 2022. She made substantial contributions to the improving clean energy initiatives, overseeing the research, development, and implementation of the Performance Monitoring Plan, and providing crucial leadership in M&E. Chibuzor’s career journey also includes her role as a Country Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer (Environmental Health) at the International Rescue Committee from Feb 2021 to September 2022. Here, she showcased her expertise in producing high-quality reports and played a pivotal role in ensuring M&E and reporting requirements were met for multi-donor funded projects in Northeast Nigeria. Furthermore, she has contributed her skills and knowledge to various organizations, including The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), Premiere Urgence Internationale, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative – SIDHAS Project, and World Health Organization (WHO), leaving a remarkable impact in the field of monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Chibuzor’s core competencies encompass strategic MEAL management, proficiency in database development, statistical analysis, data visualization, consultancy services, and project. She is fluent in English, Igbo, and Hausa languages, enhancing her ability to collaborate effectively in diverse multicultural settings. Her commitment to inclusive data and her proactive approach make her an invaluable asset in any professional environment.
Host Organization: Development Gateway
Role at Host Organization: As a Monitoring, Evaluation, Eesearch and Learning (MERL) Fellow, Chibuzor, in the capacity of an associate, would have a MERL focus and work on synthesizing and analyzing various pieces of key information collected on the programs. The Fellow is expected to contribute to writing of knowledge products and reports. Additional work may involve supporting other programs at DG should time allow.
Farida Adamu
Nigeria (Host: Generation)Farida is a Data Professional with a diverse background spanning multiple sectors. Throughout her journey, Farida has honed her skills in research, data mining and analysis, and project evaluation. She possesses advanced proficiency in popular Python frameworks for Data Science, including Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, and Seaborn. Additionally, she is skilled in tools such as Alteryx, SQL, Excel, and Tableau, enabling her to effectively leverage business intelligence tools. Farida has a BS in Statistics and an MSc in Data Science.
Host Organization: Generation
Role at Host Organization: As a Data and Impacts Fellow, Farida will gain an understanding of Generation’s data operations and impact metrics, and onboard onto multiple projects in a key supporter role. The Fellow will be proficient in accessing and analyzing D&I data and become comfortable executing independent projects such as research support, data analysis,and synthesizing findings. The Fellow may work on advanced projects as well as work to close-out and transition
ongoing work and initiatives.
Zainab Oluwabukola Atta
Nigeria (Org: International Rescue Committee)Zainab Oluwabukola Atta has eight years of experience in the humanitarian aid sector and nine years in the developmental sector. She holds an LLB from Ahmadu Bello University, a Bachelor’s of Law from the Nigerian Law School, a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria as well as certifications from the London School of Economics, Harvard Business Publishing, and Humentum. Zainab currently works with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), an organization she has worked with since 2015 as a capacity building officer, a senior protection officer, a protection manager, and now a protection and rule of law coordinator. She works to ensure that the human rights of affected populations in Northeast Nigeria are protected and they receive support when they experience harm. Zainab serves as the Coordinator of IRC’s Women at work platform that promotes female IRC staff’s career growth and emotional well-being.
Victoria Fajinmi
Nigeria (Org: Women for Women International)Victoria Ayodele Fajinmi is currently working as an Advocacy Associate at Women for Women International, where she passionately advocates for women’s rights. With 17 years of working experience, she has developed a strong expertise in various areas including women’s participation and decision-making, reproductive health, education, advocacy, and economic empowerment. Originally from the Southwest of Nigeria, Victoria now resides in the Northeastern part of the country. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling Education at the National Open University, Bauchi Center. Previously, she earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and a Higher National Diploma in Microbiology/Virology from the Nigeria Institute of Science Technology, Ibadan, and ATBU Bauchi campus, respectively. Victoria is actively involved with a group of women called Change Agents within Women for Women International. Together, they strive to bring about social change in their community, focusing on empowering women and promoting gender equality. Victoria is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of women in Nigeria. Victoria’s professional journey has involved the successful implementation of various projects in Bauchi state. She has also been involved in improving access to HIV/AIDS prevention among female sex workers and pregnant women, managing projects for the Bauchi State Agency for Tuberculosis, Malaria, and HIV/AIDS as part of the World Bank project. Furthermore, Victoria has actively addressed the education crisis through a USAID project, managing 28 centers for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 14 communities of two local government areas in Bauchi, providing basic education and vocational training. Aside from her professional pursuits, Victoria finds joy in meeting people and traveling, enriching her experiences and perspectives along the way.
Folashade Abimbola
Nigeria (Org: Women for Women International)Folashade Abimbola has over nine years of experience working with women, children, adolescents, girls, and other marginalized and vulnerable groups in society. Her expertise includes early childhood development, child protection and safeguarding, HIV/AIDS prevention, community and stakeholder engagement, and program monitoring and evaluation. Folashade has worked on various program teams who implemented projects and programs with Save the Children International, USAID, AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF), Mercy Corp, and Management Sciences for Health (MSH) among many others. Presently, she is on the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) team of Women for Women International (WfWI). Folashade is passionate about the rights of women, girls, and marginalized groups and continues to add her voice to ending biases, and long-seated social and cultural norms which impede these marginalized and vulnerable groups from living full and fulfilling lives.
Lolly Durotoye
United States and Nigeria (Org: Partners in Health)Lolade (Lolly) Durotoye has over fifteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University, a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Forensic Science from Drexel University, and a certificate in Global Health Delivery from Harvard University. In her current role as a Health Policy Advisor at Partners in Health (PIH) in Sierra Leone, Lolly provides technical guidance to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the implementation of the National Health Sector Strategic Plan. She oversees program implementation, conducts policy analysis, and engages with stakeholders at a high level. Lolly also plays a leadership role as co-chair of MOHS’ Governance and Leadership group and the national representative body of health NGOs, serving as the liaison for the Ministry. Through her extensive experience, Lolly has acquired skills in scientific research, strategic planning, results-based project management, partnership development, and resource mobilization. Areas of particular interest to Lolly in the nonprofit sector include health policy development, program implementation, and partnership building for effective healthcare delivery.
Sadiya Yusuf
Nigeria (Org: Norwegian Refugee Council)Sadiya Yusuf is a lawyer by profession with over six years of experience in humanitarian emergency response of information counseling and legal assistance via different modalities of program development, implementation, and management. She also holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and is currently studying for a second Master’s in Gender Studies at the university of Jos, Nigeria. Sadiya is the project coordinator for information, counseling and legal assistance (ICLA) in the Norwegian Refugee Council: Nigeria, where she has worked for over six years, occupying various roles from project assistant through to project coordinator. Over the years she has contributed immensely to NRC’s objective of providing access to quality services to millions of people affected by displacement and conflict in Nigeria. This experience has helped honed her skills and competence in project management, people management, training design & facilitation. Sadiya enjoys analyzing legal issues, entrepreneurship, traveling, and other social activities.
Godiya Makama
Nigeria (Org: International Rescue Committee)Godiya Makama brings over seven years of experience in the humanitarian sector, complemented by a degree in Law from the University of Jos in Nigeria. Her tenure at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Northeast Nigeria involved providing crucial support to children and families affected by the Boko Haram crisis, ensuring the restoration of disrupted lives. Throughout her time at IRC Nigeria, Godiya served as the most senior female national staff, acting as a source of motivation for many women within the organization, particularly in the highly patriarchal context of Northeast Nigeria. Currently serving as the Deputy Director of Programs for the IRC Yemen Country Program, Godiya works closely with technical coordinators to uphold program quality in Yemen. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Godiya is dedicated to enhancing her leadership skills. She aspires to support other women, both within and outside the IRC, who are interested in developing their own leadership abilities. By strengthening her own capabilities, Godiya aims to empower and uplift women within the organization and the wider community.