UNMASKING DR CHIMA AMADI: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCHOLAR AND ADVOCATE FOR TRANSPARENCY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

 By: James Emeahu

Dr. Chima Amadi, hailing from Umuehieze, Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State, is  a distinguished scholar, researcher, and advocate for transparency and good governance. With a diverse academic background and wealth of professional experience, Dr. Amadi has made significant contributions in the fields of Political science, Economics, and Development studies. His commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in governance has earned him recognition and accolades nationally and internationally.

Born and raised in Kano, Nigeria, young Dr Amadi completed his primary education at Dabo Primary School in Kano before proceeding to the Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State, where he completed his secondary education. Driven by his hunger for knowledge and desire to make a difference, the youthful and energetic Dr Amadi enrolled at the University of Ibadan, where he pursued a Bachelor's in Human Nutrition. He excelled in his studies and graduated with honors.

During his time at the University of Ibadan, Chima demonstrated his leadership potential when he served as the Secretary General of the Students Union. This experience stimulated his passion for advocating transparency and good governance.

After completing his undergraduate studies and still Driven by a the thirst to advance his knowledge and desire to make a difference , Dr Amadi obtained a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the University of Ibadan in 2006. However, his thirst for knowledge and his multidisciplinary interests led him to pursue further education in various fields.

Dr. Amadi's academic pursuits took him to prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, and the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. He obtained Master's degrees in Comparative Public Policy and Administration, Democracy and Comparative Politics, and Economics and Development Studies. His extensive and impressive academic attainments have equipped him with a deep understanding of diverse disciplines and enabled him to approach complex issues from a multidimensional perspective.

 Dr. Amadi's professional career is marked by organizational leadership roles that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. One of his notable positions is as the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), which he has occupied since October 2020. In this role, Dr. Amadi provides strategic leadership and oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization's programmes. He is responsible for ensuring that the CTA's initiatives align with its mission and reflect the priorities set by the Board.

Prior to his role at CTA, Dr. Amadi served as the Senior Programme’s Manager at Partners for Electoral Reform from June 2010 to October 2014. He was responsible for implementing election operational plans, coordinating operations and observer teams during elections, and conducting training workshops for observer teams. His work in this role contributed to promoting free and fair elections in Nigeria.

Dr. Amadi also served as the Consultant Networks Manager at Publish What You Pay (Nigeria) from May 2007 to May 2010. In this capacity, he trained coalition partners on best practices in the extractive industry and designed training manuals for advocacy. He facilitated zonal training workshops and strategically supported coalition partners involved in advocacy campaigns.

Furthermore, Dr. Amadi worked as the Programme Manager for Democracy and Good Governance at the Centre for Transparency Advocacy from August 2004 to March 2010. He conceived, coordinated, and managed projects related to civic and voter education, human rights monitoring, and transparency and accountability in governance.

Dr. Amadi's passion for advocacy and research is evident in his numerous publications and paper presentations. His work addresses critical issues such as elections in Nigeria, patronage and agency budget in presidential appointments, public institutions' accountability, and the role of Nigeria in international economic relations.

Some of his notable publications include "2019 Elections in Nigeria: The Clear and Present Dangers," where he highlights the challenges of elections in Nigeria, and "Engaging With Public Institutions on Accountability Issues," which examines the experiences of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy. These publications showcase Dr. Amadi's expertise and insights into governance and transparency-related issues.

In addition to his publications, Dr. Amadi has presented papers at various workshops and conferences, sharing his research findings and contributing to academic discourse. He has presented papers on topics such as the rejection of the global North's development ideology for Africa's development, gender, politics, power, accountability, and democratic processes.

Dr. Amadi's exceptional contributions to his fields of expertise have earned him several awards and honors. In 2016, he was recognized as a Chevening Scholar, a prestigious award that acknowledges outstanding individuals with leadership potential. He was awarded the Jide Owoeye Prize for Foreign Policy Analysis in 2015 and was named the Best Graduating Student in International Relations in the same year. These accolades reflect Dr. Amadi's dedication to academic excellence and commitment to positively impacting his field.

As the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) since October 2018, Dr. Chima Amadi’s crusade has had a significant impact on various fields.  These include minority rights, gender and human rights, the rights of refugees and IDPs, community development, capacity building, electoral reforms, and citizens' participation in the governance process. For instance, his advocacy focused attention on the rights of the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It contributed to reviewing the Community Development Agreement (CDA) guidelines by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. It led to a review of the Electoral Act and the initiation of a Bill for an Act to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission. It also led to the disbursement of palliatives (Cash in Envelope, CiE) to refugees living in Abuja. The advocacy efforts resulted in the incarceration of a government officer accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in the Kurudu community. This was achieved in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Finally, Dr. Amadi deserves credit for promoting institutional reforms and citizens' participation in budget tracking and implementation.

Dr. Chima Amadi is a multidisciplinary scholar, advocate, and leader in the fields of political science, economics, and development studies. His diverse academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of governance and transparency-related issues. Dr. Amadi has made significant contributions to promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria and beyond through his work at the Center for Transparency Advocacy and other organizations. His dedication to research, advocacy, and leadership has earned him recognition and respect among his peers. Dr. Amadi continues to be a driving force in the pursuit of transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria and across the globe.

The Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala born Social entrepreneur and trained human nutritionist is indeed the proverbial boy who washed his hands clean that dines with the king.