Zikora Ibeh

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Growing up in a low-income community in Lagos, Nigeria, Zikora experienced firsthand what it meant to be deprioritized by her government. Without easy access to electricity and public water, her family and other residents often had to fend for themselves, sometimes walking miles to fill canteens and organizing to advocate for electricity and other basic social services. These injustices moved her to join the Education Rights Campaign and Democratic Socialist Movement where she honed her organizing and advocacy skills with her peers by hosting free holiday study lessons for disadvantaged students who could not afford extra classes.

Zikora earned a degree in economics education at St. Augustine’s College of Education. While at the institution, she contested for the presidency of the Student Union Government, finishing as first runner-up, but continued to play an active role in student governance, consistently championing issues of welfare and rights.

In 2020, as many young people across Nigeria mobilized to protest police brutality in the country, Zikora actively participated in the demonstrations and, under the Aegis of the Action Group on Free Civic Space—a network of civil society organizations and individuals committed to defending the civic space—contributed significantly to a report that traced the historical conditions leading to the #EndSARS uprising, documented the responses of security officials as the protests unfolded across different parts of the country, and demanded accountability for police violence. The report continues to serve as a critical resource for civil society, the media, and concerned citizens.

Zikora brings decades of organizing experience and a rich blend of policy advocacy, public speaking, and cutting-edge research skills to her current role as the Assistant Executive Director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). At CAPPA, she works with colleagues to co-create and champion campaigns that confront corporate abuse and build people power. In addition to her leadership at CAPPA, Zikora works as a freelance journalist, with a focus on the politics of power and social justice. She is currently studying for a master’s degree in public and international affairs at the University of Lagos.

In her free time, Zikora loves to relax, watch movies, and listen to music.