By The Daily Reality
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has inaugurated the Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy as part of efforts to strengthen governance research, public policy development and institutional capacity across Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by Paul Liam, Media and Communications Officer of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership.
The organisation also announced the appointments of 4 senior officials. They include 3 institute directors and a new Head of the Athena Election Observatory.
The new institute is named after the late Alhaji Gidado Idris, who served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Permanent Secretary under several civilian and military administrations.
According to the Centre, the institute will serve as its flagship platform for governance research, public policy innovation and institutional performance.
Speaking on the development, the Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Osita Chidoka, OFR, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s belief that Africa’s development depends largely on strong institutions.
“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,” Chidoka said.
The Centre appointed Professor Temitayo Shenkoya as Director of the Arthur Nwankwo Institute for Education and Intellectual Freedom. Shenkoya is a scholar in public policy, governance and innovation with more than 20 years of experience in academia, government and development practice. He currently serves as Professorial Researcher and Regional Director for Africa at Chungnam National University in South Korea. He has also worked with the Abuja Technology Village Foundation, UNICEF Nigeria and the Daejeon Metropolitan Government. He will coordinate the institute’s 2026 programme titled Fixing Nigeria’s Schools: Accountability and Digital Transformation.
Dr Danjuma Iyaji was named Director of the Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Institute for Health and Social Equity.
He is a health economist and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. He has held technical and research positions at the Society for Family Health, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He has also taught at the Nigerian Army University Biu, Kogi State University and Salem University. He will lead the 2026 programme, Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare and Nutrition in Nigeria.
The Athena Centre also appointed Dr Christiantus I. Anyanwu as Director of the Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy. Anyanwu is a political scientist, governance specialist and public policy scholar.
He previously served as a Senior Lecturer at Veritas University, Abuja, and as a Senior Research Fellow at the Athena Centre. His first assignment will focus on the institute’s programme, Making Government Work for Citizens at Every Level.
Sarah Eke was appointed Head of the Athena Election Observatory. A member of the Centre’s founding team, she has more than 6 years of experience in programme management, election audits, governance and public policy analysis.
She previously worked as a Senior Adviser and Coordinator on a presidential campaign. At the Athena Centre, she has led election analysis and post-election assessments in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra states. She will oversee election audits, electoral data analytics and evidence-based electoral reform.
Chidoka said the appointments demonstrate 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.”
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership describes itself as an independent, non-partisan think tank that promotes good governance, evidence-based public policy and ethical leadership across Africa through research, executive education and strategic dialogue.