Samson Itodo joins the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Samson Itodo, lawyer and democracy activist, to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation.
“I am particularly happy to welcome Samson to the Board of the Foundation,” said Chair of the Board Elhadj As Sy. “At a time when half of the world’s population is younger than 30, and as urgent challenges require improved and more inclusive governance at all levels, his expertise and commitment to the inclusion of young people in politics and effective leadership will bring great value to our work.”
“It is with great pleasure that I join the board of the Kofi Annan Foundation to contribute to sustaining his legacies and actualising his vision of a democratic, peaceful and prosperous world,” said Samson Itodo. “I am elated to be joining the team of brilliant and visionary world leaders committed to advancing the Foundations’ work in building institutions that promote the common good and empowering citizens to drive social change.”
“On behalf of the staff,” Kofi Annan Foundation Executive Director Corinne Momal-Vanian shared, “I am thrilled to welcome Samson Itodo to the Foundation. Several of us have worked with him over the years in promoting democracy and youth inclusion, and we know what an effective organiser and farsighted thinker he is.”
More about Samson Itodo
Samson is a lawyer from Nigeria and Founder of Yiaga Africa, an NGO whose mission is to promote democracy in Africa.
Over the last decade, Samson has worked to facilitate the inclusion of young people in politics and promote electoral integrity. One of his most significant achievements has been the successful campaign #NotTooYoungToRun to lower the minimum age for elective office in Nigeria. The campaign was later adopted by the United Nations, African Union and Economic Community for the West African States. Samson is interested in the impact of social movements on public policy and their role in qualifying or refining public policy.
He is also a member of the Board of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). He has worked with the organisation for the mitigation of electoral and political violence in various countries in Africa. He has also served as Research Facilitator for the United States Institute for Peace (USIP).
