Oluseun Onigbinde takes a 10-month operational break from BudgIT, an organisation he co-founded in 2011. Since its inception, Oluseun has been the Lead Partner of the organisation, and directly in charge of operational matters, fundraising and strategy development. He has been supported by an amazing and mission-driven staff.
This operational break from the organisation, which runs from August 24, 2018 to May 31, 2019, is a result of his enrolment in the Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University, New York.
The Scholars Program empowers individuals with a proven commitment to service with the tools they need to make their efforts more effective, to identify innovative solutions to complex global problems, and promote change through values-based leadership. The program also creates an opportunity to play a role in the Obama Foundation’s efforts to inspire, train, and connect rising leaders from around the globe.
In Oluseun’s absence, the GM of Operations, Gabriel Okeowo, will act as the Principal Lead for the organisation, overseeing all operational management, stakeholder communication while Oluseun will support fundraising efforts.
BudgIT works in five critical areas, each led by heads of department. The sections include Budget Access/Research, Tracka, Extractive Transparency Project, Institutional Engagement and Civic Hive/Communications.
BudgIT will continue to beam light into the dark corners of Nigeria’s finances for the people, as well as support responsible institutions, thus motivating citizens to take action in their communities and relentlessly demanding a society that works. In a memo to the staff, Oluseun noted that:
“We have not met by chance. In this Zeitgeist which we humbly bathe, our paths intersected, our pieces into a jigsaw, fitted and arranged by forces beyond us. This work would have happened without us. Therefore, we should carry our responsibility with grace and humility. We are in the minefield trying to put Nigeria in its rightful place. Let us carry this mission with love for the work, Nigeria and humanity”
These changes have been fully communicated to key stakeholders including donors, impact investors and board members.
