Official Announcement
The ONE Campaign’s board has officially named Nigerian/American citizen Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli as its new President and CEO. With more than 25 years of international development experience, Nwuneli is poised to take the helm of the non-partisan global advocacy organisation, succeeding Gayle Smith and commencing her role on April 2, 2024.
In a release dated 20 February 2024 on the Campaign’s website, ONE says Nwuneli’s vast expertise encompasses agriculture and nutrition, social innovation, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and youth development in Africa. The release says, Nwuneli’s appointment comes as ONE Campaign enters its 20th year and undergoes strategic transformations to modernise its approach, addressing the intricate challenges of economic crises, climate change, and conflict exacerbating poverty and health issues in Africa.
Nwuneli to Mobilise Financial Resources for Africa’s Development
As the new CEO, Nwuneli will lead ONE’s initiatives to enhance connectivity between African nations and provide the necessary financial resources for development. Additionally, she will focus on developing policies to bolster agency, building political support, and mobilising activists to address the pressing issues of the continent.
Enthusiasm and Excitement
Tom Freston, ONE’s Board Chair, expressed his enthusiasm for Nwuneli’s appointment, highlighting her extensive experience and passion for advocating on behalf of the world’s poor. He believes her leadership will be pivotal as ONE navigates the evolving landscape of global issues.
“Throughout her life and career,” Freston said, “Ndidi has been a steadfast advocate for the world’s poor, bringing great passion and expertise to everything she’s done. Her powerful communication skills, broad global experience and strong personal network make her a perfect leader for ONE at this pivotal moment.” Freston added that with Ndidi at the helm, “I couldn’t be more confident that ONE will be leading the way in innovative new approaches to tackle the complex issues behind extreme poverty today.”
Co-founder of ONE, Bono, also voiced his excitement, emphasising the importance of having an African leader at the helm of an organisation focused on Africa. He believes Nwuneli’s diverse skills, encompassing entrepreneurship, policy, and activism, make her the ideal leader for ONE in these challenging times.
“ONE could not be getting a better present for its 20th birthday than Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli taking charge as its next President and CEO, Bono enthused. “An organisation that focuses on Africa should be led by an African; that’s always been our dream, and Ndidi is the right person to take ONE into the future,” he added.
Nwuneli Says ONE Needs New Partnerships
In response to her appointment, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli conveyed her commitment to working with ONE’s team to address critical issues in Africa. She emphasised the need for forging new partnerships, securing innovative financing, ensuring transparency, and driving sustainable and equitable growth in the region. “ONE’s cofounders, staff, and board have worked tirelessly over the past 20 years, and its mission has never been more important,” Nwuneli said. “I am honoured to lead the organisation in this next chapter of growth and impact.”
Rich Development Background
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli’s extensive background includes roles such as the founder of Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism Africa (LEAP Africa), co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd., and AACE Foods Processing & Distribution Ltd. The 48-year-old serves on the boards of prestigious organisations such as the Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA, and the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders.
With an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Nwuneli has been recognised globally for her contributions to entrepreneurship, social innovation, and resilient agriculture businesses in Africa. She is the author of Reaching Millions with Impact, published in 2016, alongside Social Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact, Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses, and Walking for God in the Marketplace.
As Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli assumes the role of CEO, expectations are high for her to lead ONE Campaign with innovative new approaches to tackle the complex issues contributing to extreme poverty in Africa.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7m7dvJuyA7h5XMc22i
