Oby Ezekwesili

Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili is an Economic and Public Policy Expert and has served as Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI) since 2015. A 2018 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, she advanced transparency in the extractive industries in Nigeria and globally. As Vice-President of the World Bank, she led economic research and projects in 48 Sub-Saharan countries. A co-founder of Transparency International, she was a pioneer director of its global board from 1994-1999. Following the 2014 Chibok abduction, she co-convened the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, advocating for the release of abducted girls. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Lagos and Harvard Kennedy School, and honorary doctorates from the University of Agriculture in Abeokuta and the University of Essex Business School for her contributions to economic and social justice in Africa.