I am Dr Chidi Ezegwu, an interdisciplinary humanities and social research specialist with interest and experience in social justice and social inclusion, young people, education, gender, political participation, political theory, public policy, political economy analysis, climate change, conflict, reproductive health, language, media and arts. I have more than 18 years experience of working with local, national and international development organisations and over 12 years of engagement in business. management. I currently work with the University of Manchester, UK, as a Research Associate.
Research Leadership: In the past ten years, I have played leading roles in 41 international donor-funded research projects, including projects supported by the British Council, DFID, European Union, MacArthur Foundation, Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), USAID, UNDP, UNICEF and World Economic Forum and other international development organisations. In some of these studies, I played the role of the lead investigator and research coordinator (see leadership page).
An Analyst: I am an independent consultant on political economy analysis, education, gender, conflict and policy issues (see research project page). As a Wikistrat analyst, I have been involved in a number of global analyses, including analysis and simulation of various countries’ political, security and development issues, including the US, China, Russia, Nigeria and North Korea. In June 2015, I won the top contributor prize for the analysis of Nigeria’s security, socioeconomic and political issues. As a Research Officer with DFID’s Education Data and Evaluation in Nigeria, I played critical roles in the analysis of Nigerian education issues, Nigerian education research capacity and quality of evidence in the Nigerian Education sector (see EDOREN UBE Report).
A Training and Capacity Building Specialist: Supporting the capacity development of individuals and organisations is another area my impact has been deeply felt. Possibly, the transformational leadership development training I received from the UNFPA, UNDP and National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), as a national coach, may have influenced my contribution in this field. I have contributed to the capacity building of more than 30 organisations. I also contributed to the strategic plan development of two states and more than five organisations. I was a Master Trainer for the UNICEF/National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Family Life and HIV/AIDS Peer Education programme (2006 – 2007). I was also a state trainer for the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) in Anambra, Enugu and Imo (three Nigerian States) between 2006 and 2009.
Research Publications: I have over 50 independent and collaborative research publications, international conference presentations and reports on various aspects of research and development, especially around my fields of interest (see publication page).
Education:
- PhD Education and Social Justice, Lancaster University, UK (2020)
- M.A. Education, Gender and International Development, University College London, UK (2012)
- Political Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2011)
- B.Sc. Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria (2005)
Other training courses
Other Selected Training Courses Undertaken
|
| Institution |
Course |
Year |
| Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) and the West African Bioethics Training programme |
Social and Behavioural Science Investigator Training |
2019 |
| World Bank Institute |
Dimensions of Teacher Policy |
2014 |
| World Bank Institute |
Economics of Education for Policymakers |
2014 |
| World Bank Institute |
Parliament and Budget |
2012 |
| Global Human Rights Leadership Training Institute |
Global Human Rights Leadership |
2007 |
| The World Bank |
Gender Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Strategy |
2007 |
| UNDP and National Agency for Control of AIDS |
Transformational Leadership Development Programme |
2006 – 2007 |
Selected Teaching, Facilitation and Mentoring Experience
| Organisation |
Activity |
Year |
| Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) |
Lead Facilitator on Disability Disaggregated Data Indicator Guide: I facilitated training three different sessions that were designed to build and strengthen the capacity of the following organisations and groups of stakeholders on Disability Indicator Guide and Research:· National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
· key Ministries, Directorates and Agencies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
· DAs Promote improved coordination and collaboration between DRAC and other key MDAs Sexual assault referral centres (SARC) staff working on gender-based violence
· Selected CSOs working on disability research and development issues |
2023 |
| Leap Africa |
LEAP Africa’s iLEAD Fellowship Programme: I was a member of the seasoned professionals and mentors who provided world-class mentorship to improve fellows and mentees’ employability, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. LEAP Africa’s alumni network with |
2020 |
| UNDP and Nigerian National Agency for Control of AIDS |
Transformational Leadership Development Programme: I was a member of the team of National Coaches that trained and build capacities of civil society actors and organisations on transformational leadership. |
2007 – 2011 |
| UNICEF |
Master Trainer – Family Life and HIV Programme (for volunteer recent graduates serving as peer educators and community trainers in the compulsory national youth service scheme) |
2006 – 2007 |
| Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
Commonwealth Alumni Mentoring Plan (CAMP) MENTOR: I was one of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Project Camp mentors. I mentored newly awarded scholars/fellows and entrants to the alumni network as part of the Project CAMP team and supported new entrants to adjust to life in the UK while on the award, including the provision of academic guidance. I also supported new returnees and alumni members to adjust and resettle and guided them to resources for their work in their home countries. |
2017 – present |
| British Council |
Girls Education Advocacy and Research project: I was the lead coordinator, facilitator, trainer and supervisor for the project which gave a grant, trained, and supported emerging researchers. I designed and led the implementation of the three-phased training and mentorship of six teams of grant holders that received grants from the British Council. Each team consisted of emerging and early career gender in education researchers from the university, staff of ministries of education and civil society organisations. I also supervised and provided consistent support to the teams while they implemented their respective research projects in six Nigerian states, including their report writing. |
2015 – 2016 |
| Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) |
Positive Living Project State Trainer: I successfully and consistently served as trainer in three states (Anambra, Enugu and Imo States), and facilitated capacity building of community-based organisations and peer educators a in the three states with a particular focus on the training of grassroots peer educators in the project communities. |
2006 – 2009 |
| UNFPA |
Youth Reproductive Health Leadership: I was the UNFPA-supported youth focal person, trained and supported to train and mentor other youth leaders across Anambra state through direct mentorship, training of youth-led organsiations’ leaders and staff, and leading advocacy on youth reproductive health and right issues. |
2005-2008 |
Research Grants
| Institution |
Date |
Details |
| British Council |
2023 |
An Evaluation of the Non-formal Education Young Leaders Connect Project Nigeria |
| Street Child |
2022 |
Grant for the Retention Strategy Survey Amongst Young Persons, Women and Girls in Communities in Edo State, Nigeria |
| British Council |
2022 |
Research grant for the study on the UK market sentiment |
| British Council |
2022 |
Research grant for the study on graduate outcome insight to the British Council |
| Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) |
2022 |
Research grant for a Situation Analysis of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Nigeria |
| British Council |
2021 |
Grant for the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of CSOs Operations and Environment in North-Central Nigeria |
| British Council |
2020 |
Research grant for the Evaluation of the British Council’s Higher Education Partnership project that involved three UK universities and four Nigerian universities |
| Population Media Centre (through Fourthman Management Centre) |
2020 |
Research grant for a Clinic Service Monitoring study that assessed the uptake of gender-based violence and reproductive health services in Ogun and Oyo states, Nigeria |
| Population Media Centre (through Fourthman Management Centre) |
2019 |
Research grant for a Flexi Track Survey, which is a Household Evaluation of Jolokoto, a Yoruba Language Serial Drama on gender-based violence and reproductive health issues in Ogun and Oyo states, Nigeria |
| British Council |
2018 |
Research grant for a study on transnational education in Nigeria and development legal, regulatory and operational frameworks for transnational education in Nigeria |
| UNDP/ Population Media Centre (through Fourthman Management Centre) |
2018 |
Research grant for the research on conflict, peace-building and de-radicalisation radio drama listenership in northeast Nigeria |
| British Council |
2016 |
Research grant for a study on the Role of Drama Language of Delivery in Cultural Relations |
Scholarship and Best Practice Awards
| Institution |
Date |
Award Details |
| Lancaster University |
2016 |
PhD Scholarship (full fee bursary) |
| Wikistrat |
2015 |
Top contributor prize on the analysis and simulation of Nigerian socio-political, economic and security development |
| Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK |
2011 |
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Award, at Institute of Education, University of London |
| University College London (UCL) and Leverhulme Trust |
2011 |
Scholarship for one of the best three Global South Postgraduates abstracts submissions for UCL/Leverhulme Trust symposium, May 2011, London |
| The Global Human Rights Leadership Training Institute |
2007 |
Human Right Leadership Scholarship |
| Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria |
2007 |
Best State Coordinator on Communication |
| Youth Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria |
2006 |
Best State Coordinator for the year |
Fields of Interest and Experience:
- Political economy
- Political theory
- Education
- Gender
- Social inclusion
- Public policy
- Climate change
- Children and youth development
- Reproductive health
- Conflict and security
- Language, media and arts
Hobbies
I enjoy blogging, swimming, reading detective novels, cooking traditional food, playing scrabbles, puzzles and problem-solving-related games, which possibly stems from my interest in seeking answers to tricky questions, taking up challenges and learning new skills.
Relevant Skills and Values
- Blogging: I enjoy blogging and have used my skills in this field to help support people in their education and career development. My blog, Scholarship & Careers, attracts global visitors, especially from Europe, America and Asian continents, and has been helping people find their much-needed opportunities.
- Communication: over the years, I advanced in persuasive speaking, effective listening, group presentation skills, document review and diverse technical report writing skills as a leader of civil society networks and research professional.
- Advocacy, community mobilization and capacity building: deep-seated experience in designing and implementing advocacies, effective community mobilization strategies and capacity development at various levels was also gained from both studies and field experiences.
- Time and Quality Management: I value timely completion of deliverables and continuous search for opportunities to improve and promote quality; I have a strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete tasks in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
- Analytical: my works over the years often demand management and simplification of large and complex information and I have developed a strong capacity to do these effectively.
- Adaptability: as a multidisciplinary researcher, I continuously meet new challenges and different work environments, which has contributed to my strong capacity to adapt and develop new strategies for dealing with new problems.
- Cultural Sensitivity: working with international donor-funded projects involves working with culturally diverse teams in the different cultural milieu and constant exposure to possible issues of social conflict. I have therefore developed value and respect for the differing cultural environment and enjoy working with local community and people whose values, culture and perspectives differ from mine.
- Language Skills: English (proficient), Igbo (mother tongue), French (beginner).
- Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office and other operating systems and software.
Dr Chidi Ezegwu 