ONE Campaign has appointed Serah Makka as its Nigeria Country Director.
The ONE Campaign is an international, nonpartisan, non-profit, advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support policies and programs that are saving lives and improving futures.
Serah is a development professional who is passionate about social equity and justice.
She began her career with the Fate Foundation USA, supporting the first Nigerian non-profit organization focused on entrepreneurship training to create employment.
Following that, she worked as a strategy and evaluation consultant with Boston-based FSG Social Impact Advisors where among many things created an expansion strategy for a global microfinance organization, enabling a merger between two health-related nonprofits.
In 2006, Serah’s passion for social justice and girls’ empowerment led her to an assignment to teach girls English in Kabul, Afghanistan. Upon returning to Nigeria, Serah worked at the Tony Elumelu Foundation providing technical support to the Office of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
After that role, Sera worked as Policy and Innovation Manager with Enhancing Financial Access and Innovation (EFInA), a DFID and Gates Foundation funded Nigerian nonprofit focused on deepening financial inclusion among the low-income population in Nigeria.
Serah holds a Master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and a BA in Economics and International Studies from the University of North Florida, graduating summa cum laude.
She was nominated by the Young People in International Affairs as one of the top 35 Under 35 Young African Leaders in International Affairs.
She is currently a Trainer at the Africa Institute for Public Policy based in Nigeria. Serah is a gastronome and nature-lover who believes there is nothing a good book and a cup of tea cannot soothe. Please join me in welcoming Sera to ONE.
Serah will take over from Edwin Ikhouria who had served the organisation for three years and is leaving to pursue other career interests.
During his time with ONE, Edwin led the Nigeria campaign efforts that included Do Agric, It Pays, Poverty is Sexist 1.0, Global goals, and the current Make Naija Stronger campaign.
“He has served in this role with utmost dedication and has helped establish a constant and formidable presence for ONE in Nigeria amongst other achievements. Edwin will be with us until end of February 28th to enable a smooth transition.
We will miss him as he has been a true force of nature, as he leaves the campaign, he will stay close to the ONE team as part of our valued alumni of Nigeria advisors. Please join me in thanking Edwin for his incredible to the work of ONE in Nigeria and global,” a statement by Nachilala Nkombo, the interim Executive Director of ONE Africa said.