We Always Shape the Best Decisions with Evidence
Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative (SDCI) is an independent, non-partisan policy research organization. We believe that public decisions in Africa must be guided by clear evidence, structured conversation, and long-term thinking.
By bringing public administrators, private enterprises, and community stakeholders to the same table, we transform complex data and research findings into actionable policies that improve institutional accountability and sustainable growth.
“A Nigeria — and an Africa — where public decisions are shaped by evidence, open debate, and the long view.”
SDCI conducts rigorous, independent research and turns it into open conversations that influence policy, strengthen institutional accountability, and improve decision-making on sustainable development.
Our Leadership Bench
SDCI is led by a Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, and specialized departments. We publish the profile of each leader to guarantee absolute transparency.
Board of Directors
Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi is a veteran Nigerian journalist, born 6 November 1965 in Ile-Ife. He chairs the editorial board of ThisDay newspapers and was presidential spokesman (Special Adviser on Media and Publicity) to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from 2007 until Yar’Adua’s death in 2010. He writes ThisDay’s weekly column, “The Verdict,” and has authored several books on Nigerian politics.
Mrs. Halima AbdulRa’uf
Member, Board of Directors
Mrs. Halima AbdulRa’uf is a broadcast journalist and media executive. She is a former staffer of the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service, where she presented news and reports. She now serves as Chief Executive Officer of S24 Television, a Nigerian broadcaster whose advisory board she helped unveil, describing it as a step toward professionalism, accountability and positioning the station as a trusted platform for national, development-focused conversations. She is a University of Leicester alumna based in Abuja.
Mr. Myani Bukar
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Myani Bukar is a lawyer, development economist and policy researcher. He earned his law degree from the University of Jos and holds a dual master’s in law and management of development from the University of Turin, jointly administered with the United Nations. He served as Special Assistant (Legal Matters) in the Presidency and has worked as a Research Associate at ODI and as a Governance Advisor for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
Mr. Sadiq Wanka
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Sadiq Wanka is an energy and power-sector policy specialist. Since 2023 he has been Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure in the Office of the Vice President. He previously worked at McKinsey & Company, Amazon and in renewables, and holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. His focus is attracting private capital across the power value chain.
Barrister Saadatu Hamu Aliyu
Member, Board of Directors
Barrister Saadatu Hamu Aliyu is a corporate and technology lawyer. She is founder and Managing Partner of Hamu Legal, an Abuja multidisciplinary firm advising early-stage and high-growth companies, with specializations in banking and finance, energy, fintech and regulatory compliance. She holds a Master’s in National Security from Georgetown University Law Center, is a 2016 Associate Fellow of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative, and formerly curated the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Abuja Hub.
Shetima Sani Dambatta
Member, Board of Directors
Shetima Sani Dambatta is an oil-and-gas professional at NNPC Limited. He has served in technical advisory and operations roles, to include Subsurface Operations Advisor and Technical Advisor within NNPC’s upstream and investment functions. His background spans civil engineering, academia (Nile University) and tax administration (FIRS), with recent executive training at MIT Sloan and the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Public Leaders Programme.
Dr. Aishatu Kabir
Member, Board of Directors
Dr. Aishatu Kabir is an economist and public policy strategist with years of experience in policy advocacy, government coordination, and strategy execution across Nigeria’s public and private sectors. She has a track record of working with senior government officials, multilateral institutions, and civil society to shape and implement reforms across trade, health, agriculture, and digital transformation, with strengths in political economy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and turning complex development priorities into actionable policy. She currently serves in the Presidency as Special Assistant on Delivery & Coordination, leading high-level initiatives aligned with national and international development goals. She holds a PhD, was educated at Nile University of Nigeria, and is based in Abuja.
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Support
Sulaiman Ahmad Fanty
Chief Executive Officer
Sulaiman Ahmad Fanty is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Development Conversation Initiative (SDCI), bringing a strong background in research, policymaking, and public administration to his leadership. In this capacity, he provides strategic direction for SDCI’s work in evidence-based policy advocacy, civic education, stakeholder engagement, and development communication, with a commitment to strengthening public accountability and advancing sustainable development.
Fateh Suleiman Abubakar
Executive Assistant
Fateh Suleiman Abubakar is a graduate of English Literature from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a background spanning communication, community mobilization, and project coordination. He serves as Executive Assistant at SDCI, providing administrative support, coordinating documentation, and helping manage day-to-day operations. His experience running his own photography venture, coordinating HR functions for a youth entrepreneurship hub, and volunteering with the Nigerian Red Cross Society brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a community-oriented approach to his role.
Ummul-khairi Rufai
Desk Secretary
Ummul-khairi Rufai holds a National Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. She currently serves as Desk Secretary at SDCI, where she provides administrative support, manages office correspondence, and helps keep the organization's day-to-day operations running smoothly. She's committed to contributing positively to both her organization and her community.
Research Team
Muhammad Zakariya Ibrahim
Research & Policy Advocacy Lead
Muhammad Zakariya Ibrahim leads research and policy advocacy at the Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative (SDCI), where he works on turning research and policy analysis into arguments that actually move institutional reform forward. He coordinates a team of research analysts — facilitating their work on data analysis, research, and publications, and making the judgment calls that shape direction and quality. With a technical background in computer science and data analytics, he's drawn to governance and geopolitics questions, often through a game-theory lens, and explores how AI and data visualization can make institutions more transparent and accountable.
Naffa'a Mamman Musa
Research Analyst I
Naffaa Musa Mamman is the Research Analyst I at the Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative (SDCI), where she conducts policy and development research, analyzes quantitative and qualitative data, and produces evidence-based insights to support informed decision-making. With a background in Chemical Engineering and currently pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainable Environmental Studies, she combines analytical thinking and systems-based problem solving with a growing interest in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, resource management, and evidence-informed policymaking. She is passionate about leveraging research to develop innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions that address complex development challenges and strengthen institutions.
Zia'ulhaq Waziri
Research Analyst II
Zia'ulhaq Waziri is a Research Analyst II at the Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative (SDCI), where he conducts policy-focused research on governance, public policy, social dynamics, and geopolitics. With a background in Political Science, he specializes in producing evidence-based analysis that informs decision-making and contributes to sustainable development. His work is driven by a commitment to understanding complex societal challenges and translating research into practical insights that support effective policies and institutional development.
HR & Operations
Fatima Muhammad Abdullahi
Human Resources, Administration and Finance Officer
Fatima Muhammad Abdullahi serves as the Human Resources, Administration and Finance Officer at the Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative (SDCI). In this role, she is responsible for strengthening the organization's internal systems through human resource management, administrative coordination, financial documentation, and the development of policies and operational procedures that promote accountability, transparency, and institutional effectiveness. Fatima is passionate about organizational development and good governance, with a strong interest in building efficient systems that support sustainable growth and effective programme delivery. She has experience in data analysis, administrative management, and process improvement, and is committed to applying evidence-based approaches to enhance organizational performance. She holds a degree in Human Anatomy and is dedicated to contributing to sustainable development through sound administration, strategic planning, and continuous learning.
Partnership & Funding
Shaheed Sirajo Jahun
Partnership and Funding Lead
Shaheed Sirajo Jahun is the Partnership and Funding Lead at SDCI, where he drives strategic collaborations, resource mobilization, and institutional engagement to advance governance and sustainable development in Nigeria. With a multidisciplinary background across the private and non-profit sectors, Shaheed leverages technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to empower youth, build sustainable systems, and connect underserved communities with opportunities.
Stakeholder Engagement
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad
Lead, Stakeholder Engagement & Programs
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad is a stakeholder engagement and programs professional with experience building strategic partnerships, leading multi-stakeholder initiatives, and driving programs that advance innovation, youth development, and sustainable development. He has successfully coordinated engagements across government institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society to foster collaboration and deliver measurable impact. Throughout his career, Ibrahim has led partnership development, managed large-scale community and capacity-building programs, and contributed to initiatives that have empowered thousands of young people with digital and future-ready skills. His work spans program design and implementation, stakeholder mapping, policy dialogue, strategic communications, and ecosystem development, with a strong focus on creating sustainable partnerships that translate into meaningful outcomes. With a background in engineering and expertise in technology, innovation, and development, Ibrahim brings a systems-thinking approach to solving complex challenges. He is passionate about convening diverse stakeholders, strengthening institutional collaboration, and designing programs that accelerate inclusive economic growth and social impact.
Legal & Compliance
Mahmood Adamu Imam
Legal Advisor & Compliance Counsel
Mahmood Adamu Imam is a trained lawyer with a background in Corporate Law, Data Protection, and Tech Law advocacy. At the Sustainable Development Conversations Initiative (SDCI), he serves as Legal Advisor and Compliance Counsel, advising on institutional compliance, reviewing contracts, and managing legal risk in line with statutory regulations. He brings a strong grounding in legal drafting and regulatory practice to help SDCI operate on solid legal footing as it pursues its policy and advocacy work.
Media Production
Abdulhakeem Ahmad
Media Production Officer
Abdulhakeem Ahmad is the Media Production Officer at SDCI, bringing years of experience in photography, cinematography, drone operations, and video editing. He holds a B.Tech in Industrial Design from Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University, Bauchi, and a Master Class Certificate in Drone Piloting and Video Editing from SK Media Enterprise, and is the founder of Keemos Visual, a creative media brand offering photography, cinematography, and post-production services. At SDCI, he produces visual content that documents the organization's work and communicates its impact, using storytelling to inform, inspire, and drive positive change.
Independence & Funding
SDCI's independence is structural, not just a promise. We are funded through a deliberate mix of sources so that no single one can set our agenda:
- Grants and donations from foundations and government bodies
- Commissioned and collaborative research
- Revenue from events, conferences, and seminars
- Sales of our premium publications
- Membership subscriptions
- Fees from training and capacity-building programmes
We disclose our funders annually. Our researchers' credentials are published in full. Where a piece of work is commissioned or supported by a specific funder, we say so on the work itself. Our findings are ours — if the evidence is inconvenient for a backer, we publish it anyway.
Our Five-Year Strategic Plan
SDCI’s roadmap for the years 2026 to 2031 outlines our strategic priorities, research expansion goals, and institutional development plans to advance evidence-based governance and sustainable growth across Nigeria.
Mrs. Halima AbdulRa’uf
Member, Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Biography & Focus
Mrs. Halima AbdulRa’uf is a broadcast journalist and media executive. She is a former staffer of the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service, where she presented news and reports. She now serves as Chief Executive Officer of S24 Television, a Nigerian broadcaster whose advisory board she helped unveil, describing it as a step toward professionalism, accountability and positioning the station as a trusted platform for national, development-focused conversations. She is a University of Leicester alumna based in Abuja.