ActionAid Nigeria Appoints Ayo Mairo-Ese and Dr Otive Igbuzor to its Board of Directors

13 July 2026

Abuja, Nigeria – ActionAid Nigeria is pleased to announce the appointment of renowned media and communications professional Ayo Mairo Ese and distinguished development expert Dr Otive Igbuzor as members of its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Their appointments will further strengthen the organisation's governance structure and bring fresh expertise in strategic communications, public policy, advocacy and institutional leadership as ActionAid Nigeria continues to implement its ten-year Country Strategy Paper (2024–2034), Citizens' Action to End Poverty and Injustice (CAEPI), and deepen its partnerships with communities, civil society, government and other development actors.

Ayo Mairo-Ese, popularly known as AME Global, is an Anchor at ARISE News Channel, where she co-anchors Africa's premier breakfast programme, The Morning Show. She is a multiple award-winning broadcaster, media and communications consultant, events host and public speaker, widely recognised for moderating high-level conversations on governance, leadership and national development. She has been named among Nigeria's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism in both 2023 and 2024 and has received several industry recognitions, including the 2024 ELOY Award for TV Presenter of the Year, the Kingdom Achievers Award for Best Presenter of the Year and the GLEAMS Award for Best TV Personality. Beyond broadcasting, she is Co-founder of the SpeakHer Hub Network, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women through communication excellence, and serves on the boards of Basic Education Africa, the WiCareLekota Foundation and the Praying Women Circle. She also co-founded ELAME Media Company, an events production and public relations firm. Her extensive experience in strategic communication, public engagement and leadership development will enrich the Board's work in advancing ActionAid Nigeria's mission of social justice and inclusive development.

Dr Otive Igbuzor is a pharmacist, development expert, public policy analyst and human rights advocate with over three decades of experience in governance, institutional reform and social justice. 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 in Nigeria's 9th National Assembly. Dr Igbuzor brings a deep institutional understanding of ActionAid, having served as Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria from 2004 to 2009 before becoming International Head of Campaigns for ActionAid International. He also served as a Commissioner of the Police Service Commission representing civil society and was previously Programme Coordinator at the Centre for Democracy and Development. A prolific scholar and author of 53 academic publications and 10 books, he holds degrees in Pharmacy, Public Administration, and International Relations, as well as a doctorate in Public Administration, specialising in Policy Analysis. He is a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria, where he also served as President, and currently sits on the boards of several organisations, including the Oando Foundation and the Centre for Women's Health and Information. 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. His extensive experience in development, governance and institutional leadership will further strengthen ActionAid Nigeria's strategic oversight and mission.

Speaking on these appointments, Andrew Mamedu, PhD, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, said:

"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."

Both appointees expressed enthusiasm for the role, noting their shared commitment to social justice and readiness to support ActionAid Nigeria's mission to tackle poverty and inequality across the country. The Board looks forward to their contributions as the organisation continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact in communities across Nigeria.

Signed,
Rabi Isma
Chair, Board of Directors

#ENDs

Editors' notes

ActionAid Nigeria, a social justice non-governmental organisation working to eradicate poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria. We are an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with a presence in 45 countries. AAN works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication towards achieving a just, equitable, and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression.

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ActionAid Nigeria Appoints Ayo Mairo-Ese and Dr Otive Igbuzor to its Board of Directors