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Theresa Chigozirim Odinkalu-Okoro, Executive Director of the African Centre for Security, Governance and Development, has over two decades of experience in leadership, governance and development, with a focus on promoting transparency and human rights-based approaches to security sector reform across West Africa.
Odinkalu-Okoro, an alumna of the Nigerian Defence Academy, holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Department of History and War Studies.
Her multidisciplinary expertise covers security sector reform, governance, development, leadership, policing, election security, gender equality and social inclusion, as well as Women, Peace and Security (WPS).
She also specialises in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), the prevention and countering of violent extremism, mediation, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and civilian protection.
Throughout her career, Odinkalu-Okoro has contributed to the development of key national policy frameworks and legal instruments, including Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Countering Violent Extremism, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP).
She has also contributed to State Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security, as well as European Union-supported democratic governance initiatives.
In addition, she has co-edited publications on policing, human rights, security, governance, development, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, countering violent extremism, and Women, Peace and Security.
Odinkalu-Okoro was inducted into the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered) in 2026, further reflecting her professional engagement in strategic management and leadership.