Dabesaki mac-Ikemenjima

Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in youth development, policy analysis, and program management. Currently serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Ford Foundation since May 2016, Dabesaki focuses on youth transitions and intersectional justice issues. Previous roles include Interim Regional Director for West Africa as an independent consultant, and several significant positions with the Commonwealth Secretariat, Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Nigeria, United Nations Population Fund, and the African Union, where Dabesaki led various strategic initiatives and frameworks to support youth engagement across multiple countries. Dabesaki holds a BEd in Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from Rivers State College of Education, an MA in Development Studies, and a Ph.D. in International Development from the University of East Anglia.