Meet Dapo Oyewole, the first Nigerian man to receive Richard von Weizsäcker Fellowship

Dapo Oyewole is a public sector leader, policy adviser, and governance expert with over 25 years of experience spanning government, international development, and global affairs.

He currently serves as the pioneer secretary-general of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Union Legislatures (CoSPAL) and is the senior special assistant on International Cooperation to President Bola Tinubu. His work focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s international engagements and fostering collaboration between governments, multilateral organisations, and legislative bodies.

Throughout his career, Oyewole has played a prominent role in shaping policy and governance at the highest levels. He was previously the special adviser on International and Interparliamentary Affairs to the 9th Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, where he facilitated legislative diplomacy and international cooperation.

Before that, he served as special adviser to three ministers in the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, focusing on donor coordination, strategic policy initiatives, and development partnerships.

He is also the founding director of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), a programme dedicated to preparing young professionals for leadership roles in public service.

Beyond government, Oyewole has made a remarkable impact in international development consulting. He has held senior positions at McKinsey & Company and the Palladium Group, leading major public policy initiatives and development strategies for governments and donor organizations.

His expertise has been sought by global institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). His work has consistently focused on governance reforms, institutional strengthening, and policy innovation.

Oyewole’s contributions to civil society have been equally noteworthy. He has led influential policy think tanks, including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-UK) and the Centre for African Public Policy and Strategy (CAPPS), where he worked on governance, democracy, and policy research. As a writer, speaker, and analyst, he provides thought leadership on development policy, governance, and international relations.

Oyewole made history as the first Nigerian man to be awarded the prestigious Richard von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin.

“I am incredibly privileged and deeply honoured to be the first Nigerian man to receive the prestigious Richard von Weizsäcker Fellowship Award at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin,” Oyewole announced on his LinkedIn on Friday.

He joins a distinguished cohort, including Natalia Gavrilița, former prime minister of Moldova; Mark Lowcock, former United Nations under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs; Bert Koenders, former minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands; and Robert Muggah, a researcher and entrepreneur, in this exclusive, by-invitation-only programme dedicated to fostering international cooperation on pressing global issues.

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As part of his fellowship project, he is examining institutional frameworks for strengthening legislative leadership and enhancing parliamentary diplomacy in Africa, drawing insights from German and European models.

“I look forward to an extraordinary time ‘fellowshiping’ with these extraordinary Fellows, thinking, debating & being inspired by the lessons-learnt, engaging interactions and insightful exchanges with top leaders in government, academia, civil society, the RvW Fellows Community & the exceptionally talented leadership & staff at the RBA,” Oyewole said.

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A Senior Yale World Fellow, Senior Aspen Fellow, and Chevening Scholar, Oyewole’s influence extends across governance, policy, and international development. His career reflects a deep commitment to democracy, institutional reform, and fostering global partnerships that drive meaningful change.