Research Associates

parallax background
(1) – Barr TOlu

Barr. Toluwa Odekhe

Masters of Law

Is the Principal Partner of Peach & Stones Chambers, Abuja with radical expertise in human right advocacy. He holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Benin and a Barrister-at-Law from the Nigeria Law School, as well as a Masters of Law with Honors from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. He is an advocate of human rights and researcher in issues of rights abuses, exploitation and victimization whilst engaging in sensitization seminars on social justice and equity in the society. He has handled high profile cases of human rights abuses and violations at various Courts of Justice involving the State and Non-State actors. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria; the Nigeria Bar Association, and serves as Legal Adviser to some reputable firms in Nigeria including Pavaij Engineering Consultancy Limited, as well as a leading oil servicing firm in Nigeria - Gulf Treasures Limited. He is an Advisor to Nigeria Students in the Diaspora on human rights protection and advocacy.
(2) – Mr. Abishai

Mr. Abishai Gaya

Masters of Research and Public Policy

Is a graduate of Political Science and Masters of Research and Public Policy from the University of Jos, Nigeria. He studied at the Defence and Strategic Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as well as United States Institute of Peace. He is well equipped in handling the rigours of research at all levels. The United States marine-trained Operational Logistic Tactician and Swiss military-trained Crisis Information Manager has been a researcher with the Nigerian Defence Academy Centre for Defence Studies and Documentation, Kaduna and African Centre for Peace and Conflict Research, National Defence College, Abuja. He was part of the 28-man team that reviewed the Standard Operational Procedures for the ECOWAS Standby Force in 2009 and has carried out recognisance duties for the Nigerian Military in the North-East during his National Service in 2006/2007 where the battle against Boko Haram insurgency is currently being sustained. He has assisted Senior University Dons in different fields of research in crises Zones in Nigeria and has translated his experience to intervening in issues of social justice, interfaith conflict management, safety and security sector reforms, terrorism, core government functionality and the political process.
(3) – Miss Pedi

Miss. Wetkos Pedi Alexanders

Masters of Research and Public Policy

Wetkos is an Assistant Lecturer at College of Education Billiri, Gombe State, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Jos, where she was awarded best graduating student of the Department and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Research and Public Policy at the institution. She is an advocate of human rights and gender equality, and well-equipped in development research, as well as monitoring and reporting human rights violations and abuses.
(4) – Mrs Hyelni

Mrs. Msheliza Hyelni David

Masters of Agricultural Economy

Is a dynamic grassroots researcher with experience in conflict situations qualitative and quantitative approach. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Agricultural Economy from University of Maiduguri, Nigeria where he displayed an excellent performance as field enumerator in designing good research criteria and later moved to rural community to research on the factors responsible for poverty among the rural women in Nigeria and advanced strategies for empowering the rural woman. She was involved in collecting primary data for African Technology Policy Strategies (ATPS) Network and Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Project in 2010 and 2012 respectively. As an independent rural community researcher, she investigates and document conflict issues in Northeast Nigeria.
(5) – Mr Pamacha

Mr. Pamancha Yusuf Dung

Masters of Research and Public Policy

Is an outstanding fellow with multinational experience and commitment to good governance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of Jos, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He recently bagged a Master’s in Research and Public Policy from University of Jos. As an Economist with background in project monitoring and evaluation, he became Director of Planning at the Plateau State Planning Commission. He served as Project Coordinator, Public Sector Governance Reform and Development Project and was once Director of Procurement at the Plateau State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) where he performed excellently with measurable results. He enrolled with World Bank funded Community Driven Development (CDD) in 2009; the program he used in improving the livelihood of most vulnerable communities. He managed the HIV and AIDS Development Programme in 2004 as Director Budget and Procurement under the Plateau AIDS Control Agency (PLACA), having previously served as Principal Planning Officer with the State Planning Commission under the Office of the Plateau State Executive Governor.
(6) – Miss Maryam

Miss. Maryam Aje

PGD Peace and Conflict Resolution

Is the Executive Director of African Youth for Peace Development and Empowerment Foundation, an NGO working on youth empowerment and peace building in Northern Nigeria with headquarters in Damaturu, Yobe State. The Human Rights Defender is a passionate advocate for respect of the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. She is an active stakeholder in the Countering Violent Extremism efforts in the North East Nigeria. She has used her understanding of the local dynamics of violent extremism to train and provide mentorship to over 2,000 youths on various skills and empowerment programs, and also organised the first Youth Peace Camp in Nigeria where 100 youths were provided training on leadership development, peace building, citizenship and civic engagement among others aimed at inculcating in them the spirit of Nationalism, Responsible Citizenship, Peace and Resilience in lessening the appeal of violent extremism among them. Maryam has vigorously participated in the designing, development and implementation of over 60 community initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerability of youth and communities to the appeal of violent extremism in Yobe State under the “North East Regional Initiative (NERI)” a USAID/OTI funded project implemented by Creative Associates International. Some of these projects she coordinated include; supporting rehabilitation and return of public administration to liberated LGAs, dialogues and call-in radio programs on defection and reintegration, rehabilitation of public infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, water supply, drainage construction in (Damaturu, Potiskum, Yunusari and Geidam) and other soft target activities such as seeds multiplication support, skills empowerment training for returning IDPs, Almajiri students, and women, sports activities and town hall meetings. Her notable 10 youths community service clubs she established have expanded with over 1,000 membership that is actively engaging communities and positively contributing to development in various capacities in nation building. The role she played in promoting peaceful election in 2015 through her “Voter Education Campaign” earned her an award of Voter Education Ambassador by Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA). Other campaigns to her record include: Enrolling and Keeping Girl Child in School, BringBackourGirls, WorldAtschool, and UpForSchool - a campaign to raise 10million signature in promoting equal and quality education to every child. She has established a good working relationship with various Human Rights organizations at local, national and international level including the National Human Rights Commission Nigeria, Partners West Africa, Cleen Foundation, and Frontline Defenders –The International Organization for the protection of Human Rights Defenders, Alumni of Mandela Institute of Development Studies (MINDS), Member of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Fellow, Youth Leaders and Community Influencers (YLCI), Development Initiative for West Africa (DIWA) and is one of the founding members of Partnership Against Violent Extremism in Nigeria (PAVE), a multi stakeholders partnership formed through the Office of the National Chief Security Adviser (SAVE Project).
(7) – Nandom

Mr. Nandom Lere

Masters of Research and Public Policy

Is a Political Scientist, a Policy Researcher and Analyst who holds the strong belief that policies are and remain the main drivers of development. However, the honey moon his country seems to be enjoying with underdevelopment since after its independence has birthed a development enthusiasm in him and that has prompted him to consistently write and campaign on issues that bother on development. This strong affinity informed his resolve to have written on Nationalism and Development in Post-Independence Nigeria which earned him his B.Sc. in Political Science back in 2008. This passion was further demonstrated in his recent thesis for the award of M.Sc. in Research and Public Policy where took a critical look into “Terrorism and Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.” The desire was frankly precipitated by his involvement in the campaign on Millennium Development Goals during his National Youth Service (NYSC) in 2009 where he had an unfortunate encounter with the appalling narrative of development in Nigeria and the entire African continent. It was a campaign he chaired and earned him an award of excellence in service to the fatherland. While he expresses and demonstrates passion for development, it is also pertinent to mention that a significant part of his life has been spent and channeled into human resources development. This he has so achieved over the past nine years, a period over which he has taught Government as a subject in different schools of learning with the aim to prepare the younger generation on the necessary task of governance and leadership. It is a service he has rendered with utmost passion and optimism, believing that the right set of leaders and human resources viable to drive development in any society are better hatched and shaped at that level. That therefore presented him the opportunity to mentor young people on leadership and entrepreneurial skills such as computer appreciation and decoration, a privilege he has always welcomed and cherished. The horror of underdevelopment in his view is such that only a resourceful and productive population with resilience and determination can surmount. It is on this premise that he’s beginning to find it persuasive to engage the endangered population around him through civil society interaction and participation in which he’s finding most fulfilling, hence his current volunteerism effort across different Civil Society Organisations.