Athena Centre Launches Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy
Centre names three institute directors and a new Head of the Athena Election Observatory as part of a broader leadership expansion
Athena Centre Launches Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy
By Charity Onah, Abuja
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has launched the Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy and announced four senior leadership appointments, extending the Centre’s research, policy and institutional capacity.
READ ALSO: Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Eight Victims in Zamfara
Named after Alhaji Gidado Idris, who served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Permanent Secretary under successive civilian and military administrations, the Institute will serve as Athena’s flagship platform for governance research, public policy innovation and institutional performance. The Chancellor of Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Osita Chidoka, OFR, said the Institute reflects the Centre’s conviction that Africa’s development challenge is fundamentally institutional.
“Nations do not transform because they have more policies; they transform because they build stronger institutions capable of implementing those policies with integrity, competence and public accountability. The Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute is our contribution to that institutional future. It is a future in which government works more effectively for citizens, public trust is strengthened, and evidence consistently informs decision-making,” Osita Chidoka said.
Professor Temitayo Shenkoya, Director, Arthur Nwankwo Institute for Education and Intellectual Freedom
Professor Shenkoya is a public policy, governance and innovation scholar with more than 20 years of international experience across academia, government and development practice. He is Professorial Researcher and Regional Director (Africa) at Chungnam National University, South Korea, and has previously held senior roles at the Abuja Technology Village Foundation, UNICEF Nigeria and the Daejeon Metropolitan Government. His work includes more than 50 peer reviewed articles, policy briefs and book chapters. He will lead the Institute’s 2026 programme, “Fixing Nigeria’s Schools: Accountability and Digital Transformation.”
Dr Danjuma Iyaji, Director, Olikoye Ransome Kuti Institute for Health and Social Equity
Dr Iyaji is a health economist and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning specialist with nearly two decades of experience. He has held technical and research roles at the Society for Family Health, the Aig Imoukhuede Foundation and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and has taught at the Nigerian Army University Biu, Kogi State University and Salem University. He holds a PhD in Economics, an MBA in Finance, and MSc and BSc degrees in Economics, and has published more than 26 peer-reviewed articles. He will lead the 2026 programme, “Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare and Nutrition in Nigeria.”
Dr Christiantus I. Anyanwu, Director, Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy
Dr Anyanwu is a political scientist, public policy scholar and governance specialist with more than a decade of experience in teaching, research and policy analysis. He has served as Senior Lecturer at Veritas University, Abuja, and Senior Research Fellow at the Athena Centre. He holds a PhD in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Abuja and has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and policy publications on democratic governance, electoral integrity, political accountability and institutional development. As Director, he will lead the Institute’s research, policy dialogue and publicsector engagement, beginning with “Making Government Work for Citizens at Every Level.”
Sarah Eke, Head, Athena Election Observatory
Sarah Eke is a member of Athena’s founding team and has more than six years of experience in programme management, election audits, governance and public policy analysis. She holds a first-class degree in French and Literary Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She previously served as a Senior Adviser and Coordinator on a presidential campaign, working in voter intelligence and strategy. At Athena, she has led election analysis and post-election assessments across Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra States. She will oversee the Observatory’s work on election audits, electoral data analytics and evidence-based electoral reform.
Commenting on the appointments, Chidoka said the new leadership team reflects the Centre’s commitment to combining academic excellence with practical policy expertise. “Our ambition is not simply to produce research,” he said. “It is to produce ideas that influence policy, institutions that strengthen governance, and leaders who transform society. These appointments represent an investment in that mission.”
About the Athena Centre
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership is an independent, non-partisan think tank dedicated to strengthening governance, advancing evidence informed public policy, and developing ethical leadership across Africa through research, executive education and strategic dialogue.
