Team Members

Constance OmayeExecutive DirectorConstance Omaye is a dynamic development leader and education practitioner with over a decade of experience designing and delivering inclusive, gender-responsive, and community-driven development programmes in Nigeria. As Executive Director of Elsophi Global Development, she provides strategic leadership for initiatives that advance equitable access to education, gender equality, and improved well-being for vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and underserved communities.Her leadership is grounded in a strong commitment to social justice, human capital development, and systems strengthening, with a focus on ensuring that interventions are not only impactful but also sustainable and scalable. She has built a reputation for translating community-level insights into practical, results-oriented programmes that align with national priorities and international development frameworks.Constance brings extensive experience in programme design and implementation, institutional leadership, and community engagement, with a particular strength in integrating gender-transformative approaches into education and social development programmes. Through Elsophi Global Development, she has contributed to the delivery of initiatives aligned with donor priorities, including gender integration in USAID-supported health and education programmes, as well as broader efforts to strengthen access to essential social services.Prior to her current role, Constance co-founded DHA Global Academy, where she has served in senior leadership for nearly a decade, including as chief operating officer. In this capacity, she has led the development and management of a growing basic education institution, overseeing academic quality, teacher development, curriculum delivery, and organisational operations. Her hands-on experience as both an educator and administrator provides her with a deep understanding of the realities of education systems in low-resource settings, as well as the practical pathways to improving learning outcomes at scale.Earlier in her career, she served as a project officer with Elsophi Global Development, where she supported the implementation of community-based programmes focused on improving access to education, health services, and social protection for vulnerable children and adolescents. This experience strengthened her expertise in grassroots programme delivery, stakeholder coordination, and participatory development approaches.

Dr Ngozi OkekeDirector of ProgramsDr Ngozi Felicia Okeke is a highly accomplished Gender, Safeguarding, and Social Inclusion Specialist with over 19 years of experience leading large-scale, donor-funded programmes across health, education, livelihoods, and humanitarian sectors in Nigeria. As director of programmes at Elsophi Global Development, she provides strategic leadership for the design and implementation of inclusive, gender-transformative interventions that improve access, participation, and outcomes for women, children, and vulnerable populations.Dr. Okeke brings deep expertise in gender equality, GBV prevention and response, safeguarding, and disability inclusion, with a strong track record of integrating these priorities into programmes funded by major donors, including USAID, CDC, and the European Union. She has successfully led multi-sector programmes, ensuring that interventions are not only effective but also safe, equitable, and responsive to the needs of marginalised groups.Prior to joining Elsophi, she held senior leadership roles, including Director of Programmes and Deputy Chief of Party on major USAID-funded initiatives, where she strengthened gender mainstreaming systems, safeguarding frameworks, and protection services across multiple states. She has also served as a safeguarding consultant, supporting organisations to build robust systems for the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), child protection, and accountability.At Elsophi, Dr Okeke leads the organisation’s programme quality, gender integration, and safeguarding agenda, ensuring alignment with international standards and donor requirements while strengthening internal capacity and external partnerships. She is widely recognised for her ability to translate policy into practice, build institutional systems, and deliver measurable, inclusive development outcomes at scale.Dr Okeke holds a PhD in Cooperative Economics and Management and a a Master of Public Health (MPH) and is a certified safeguarding professional and Scrum Master. She is deeply committed to advancing equity, protection, and sustainable development outcomes across all programmes.

Idoko Ichaba Joseph (Esq.), Board Technical Advisor, Legal/SecretaryIdoko Ichaba is a corporate lawyer licensed to practice law in Nigeria. He is experienced in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and corporate legal advisory services.

Sumaila Drisu, (MBA, B.Sc., ACA), Board Technical Advisor, Finance, Audit and ComplianceA finance expert and an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 10 years’ experience in various professional and responsible capacities. He has served in the capacity of Grants, Finance and Compliance Specialist during which he brought to the fore his diverse professional experiences that caused greater improvement in the financial management and reporting activities of the respective organizations.

Michael Olabode Tomori (PhD, MPH, MBA, MS.c. B.Pharm) Board Technical Advisor, Heath and Project ManagementA visionary leader who is knowledgeable, courageous, straightforward, brave, and a goal-oriented go-getter who leads from the front. With over fifteen years in development work in Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Public Health from the University of Central Nicaragua, South America, and a Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management from Malaysia University of Science and Technology. His strongest points include his courage, honesty, and integrity.

John Alephia OmayeChild RepresentativeI serve as a child representative for Elsophi Global Development, and I am the pioneer of a child-led programme called For Children, By Children (4CbyC).I conceived this programme with the guidance of the director of innovation because I believe that children should not just be talked about; we should be the ones doing things. Adults plan a lot of programmes for children. I wanted to show that children can plan and run programmes themselves, right now, while we are still young.In May 2026, 4CbyC held its first event, a Children's Day celebration that I planned, coordinated, and executed together with the Elsophi Global Development team. It was the first time I led a programme from idea to reality. It will not be the last.My role as Child Representative is also to make sure that the real voices and experiences of children, not just what adults think children need, shape everything ELSOPHI does. I bring a genuine children's perspective to our work so that our programmes truly help the children they are designed for.What I Do as a Child Representative→ Conceiving and Leading For Children, By Children: I designed this child-led programme from scratch. The 2026 Children's Day celebration was its first project, planned, coordinated, and executed by me. This programme proves that children can lead, not just participate.→ Speaking for Children: I share how 12-year-olds and other children actually think and feel about our projects so that our work is shaped by children's real experiences, not just adult assumptions.→ Helping My Peers: I help my classmates and fellow students understand how ELSOPHI can support them in school and encourage them to speak up about what they need.→ Giving Feedback: I review our work and make sure it is easy for children to understand and genuinely useful for kids like me.→ Showing the Way: I want to prove to other children that young people can help change our communities right now; we do not have to wait until we grow up."I want to show other children that we can help change our communities right now,even while we are young."John Alephia Omaye, Child Representative, ELSOPHI