Olanrewaju Suraju, was a Students Union President at Yaba College of Technology as an under-graduate. In his 23 years of work experience, he has pioneered, serves on the Board of and supported the creation of several Civil Society Organizations, Networks and Coalitions in Nigeria and across Africa. He has worked as consultant and board member to several development agencies, international NGOs, law enforcement agencies and inter-governmental agencies.
He has studied at post graduate level in Development, Law and Social Justice from the Institute of Social Studies in the Netherlands; NGO Management at the University of Manchester; and Public Administration from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.
He is a public commentator, campaigner and analyst at National and International levels. He was an active participant in Nigeria’s fight against military regimes in the 90s and was rusticated as Student Union President for a year and detained by the military regime of late General Sani Abacha. He has been resource person on topics of human rights, good governance, accountability, networking and citizen mobilization at local and international levels.
As a renowned human rights and social activist, with interest in accountability, food security, leadership, human development, anti-corruption and good governance, Mr. Suraju has worked and collaborated with many progressive fronts and has held many positions of responsibility.
Mr. Suraju is currently the Chairman of Human and Environmental Development Agenda, a Nigeria based NGO and the Civil Society Network Against Corruption.
He works with CHRE as Climate Advisor for Africa, conducting Africa-focused climate and environmental research and advocacy to promote policy and action pathways towards rapid reductions in key GHG emissions, that help strengthen climate policy in the region, that more effectively and more rapidly tackle climate change in the African continent, while promoting environmental sustainability and climate equity.