Our people

Akudo Oguaghamba
Pan Africa ILGA representative to the ILGA World Board
elected after the Pan Africa ILGA conference in Johannesburg, November 2025

Akudo Oguaghamba (she/her) is a queer feminist activist, human rights defender, and visionary leader advancing social justice, gender equality, and the empowerment of marginalised communities.

With over a decade of experience, she has led advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights, women’s economic empowerment, and the rights of lesbian, bisexual, queer women, and gender non-conforming persons in Nigeria and beyond.

She is the founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Health and Equal Rights (WHER) Initiative, where she leads impactful work in human rights advocacy, socio-economic empowerment, safe housing, psychosocial support, and strategic litigation.

Under her leadership, WHER has reached more than 4,500 lesbian, bisexual, queer women, and gender non-conforming individuals through innovative, life-changing programs.

Akudo has served as co-Chair of Pan Africa ILGA and on the Boards of All-Out and Vision Spring Initiative, Nigeria.

She is a recipient of multiple awards, including the Pride Leadership Award (WISE), Trailblazer of the Year (2024), the Global LGBTIQ Leadership Recognition Award (2024), and the Human Rights Partnership Award (2025).

Akudo holds a BA in French language and culture from Imo State University and an MSc in Project Management from the University of Roehampton, London. An EQUITAS Alumni and Data4Change Fellow, she brings expertise in human rights, advocacy, governance, and strategic leadership.

Organisation: Women’s Health and Equal Rights (WHER) Initiative (Nigeria)