About Us
Background
On the 1st of January of 2012 while Nigerians were still on holidays, the federal government announced casually that it was removing subsidies on petrol thereby effectively increasing the price of Nigeria’s most essential product and driving a corresponding sharp rise in the cost of living. The government took this decision alone even after it had promised that it will consult broadly as it seeks ways to more efficiently manage the subsidies which had become a major source of corruption and economic drain.
A group of community organizers and activists held the view that the action of the government amounted to unjustly transferring the cost of its ineptitude in managing the petrol subsidies, to citizens. Given the significance of petrol to the Nigerian economy where electricity to drive businesses and sustain households is generated privately mostly using petrol generators,
Community Centered: We hold strongly to the view that our first responsibility is to the community of citizens which our campaigns and interventions serve. All our actions must be tailored to serve their interests first.
The People First: We believe that NGOs cannot replace the role of citizens in extracting the social contract from duty bearers. We believe that our role is to support communities of citizens as they demand for the fulfilment of the Social Contract and not to replace them in that engagement.
We Develop Together: We do not develop solutions looking for problems. We are connected with our partners. Together we define the problem and craft the solution as a team.
We Work Efficiently: We work in an efficient and prudent manner. For us value form money is as important as the results we achieve.
We have Integrity and Dignity: In our campaigns and interventions; and in our dealings with partners’ we uphold the highest level of integrity and dignity not only when it is convenient, but especially when it is not.
We are Innovative: We continually seek innovative and creative ways to make our interventions more impactful.
Equality of Persons: We believe in the unreserved equality of all humans irrespective of gender, (dis)ability, ethnicity or religion. In our activities we reinforce this value through affirmative action.
We the People- Centre for Social Studies and Development was established to provide platforms and spaces for citizens, especially those at the vulnerable end of often negative government/private sector policies, to protect their social, political and economic rights. CSSD supports communities of citizens with tools, skills, networks, and alternatives as they project their voices and interests against negative government, and private sector policies and practices.
CSSD aims to research and identify best practices and alternative frameworks which respects the rights of community people, protects their livelihoods, conserves their environment and promotes their existence. CSSD works in solidarity with communities to identify, plan and carry out solutions crafted by them and tailored to address their own unique needs.
• Through building collaborations and solidarity among citizens and citizens’ organizations, we work to create productive synergies and amplify citizen voices in the management of affairs that affects them. This happens through popular engagements such as protests, community led advocacy and awareness.
• Through strategic trainings, We the People deploys valuable social change skills to its partners which enables them better advocate and engage on issues of social, political and economic values to them.
• Working with affected communities, We the People carries out research into issues of concern to its target stakeholders, and develops informed analysis and alternative courses of action and policy frameworks.
• We the People works to identify and project community stake in key social, economic and political considerations of the government and private companies.
• In collaboration with stake-holding communities, We the People uses traditional and alternative media platforms to amplify community and citizen issues and voices towards generating widespread attention and action.
Human Rights- Rights are at the core of the work of We the People. Our human rights work has two components, Human rights education and Human rights intervention.
In human rights education, we develop creative resources to educate different social segments on their rights and how to protect them. Our Human rights outreach programme targets particular economic or social segments of the society with human rights education. In the past we have developed resources and targeted road transporters who are routinely abuses by the police.
Our Human rights intervention programme reaches out to persons whose rights have been abused to ensure that they get justice.
Transparency and Accountability- We the People is passionate about ensuring that citizens receive the maximum benefit from public resources. We work to ensure that there is transparency, accountability and prudence in the management of public resources. Our intervention in this regard has two important components- an Open Budget Campaign aimed at ensuring openness and participation in the development of state and local government budgets and an Anti-Corruption Campaign aimed at raising the bar against corruption and mobilizing citizens to take actions against it.
Climate and Energy- We the People works with communities that are already at the receiving ends of the negative effects of climate change, whether in the form of increased flood patterns, changing agricultural seasons or poorly implemented climate change mitigation programmes. We the People works to ensure that communities are central to climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and their rights are not violated through those schemes.
We the People believes that access to electric energy to power homes and businesses is a human right. We work to achieve an energy policy that is just and ensures equal access to all. We are committed to ensuring an energy regime that is not only affordable but also based on clean and renewables sources.
Creating and protecting Civic Spaces- Globally the space for civil society and civic engagement is shrinking. In Nigeria, that space is closing at an accelerated rate. From bans on demonstrations to legislative attempts to regulate civil society organizations and restrict access to the internet. We the People works to ensure that the civic space is protected and expanded, and that the right of citizens to engage is upheld.
We the People is structured around an experienced and carefully selected 5-person Board of Trustees, 8 committed Staff members and 11 Volunteers. The staff members have long histories spanning decade of work around important issues of social transformation including public finance accountability, human rights advocacy, climate change and environment as well as democracy and governance. Our Volunteers are selected from ranks of young activists with passion for our different areas of work.To ensure that We the People taps from its vast network of partners and supporters, an Expert Advisory Committee is established to support the organization in its different areas of intervention. The Committee consist of 14 experts in different fields relevant to the work of We the People. They include media practitioners, lawyers, environmentalists, a university professor, a financial analyst, a labour unionist, an accountant and an energy policy expert. Members of this Committee support project teams with professional ideas and insight as they develop and implement interventions.
Ken Henshaw
Ken Henshaw is a 2024 Bertha Challenge Fellow working to unravel disinformation by oil companies around climate change and ecological destruction. For nearly 20-years, Ken has worked closely with communities in the Niger Delta especially in those communities where oil and gas have been extracted for decades with devastating environmental, health and social consequences. His work is focused on ensuring that decades of environmental pollution is cleaned up, that the rights of indigenous people are respected and protected, that community livelihoods lost to pollution are restored, and that the rising effects of climate change are mitigated. Ken keenly monitors the unfolding impacts of climate change and hydrocarbon pollution on communities in Nigeria, including connections with health challenges, insecurity, food security and migration. Ken participates actively in the global climate justice movement space. His published researches interrogate plans for ensuring environmental sustainability, combating climate change and driving a just transition. Ken is passionate about increasing community voices and strengthening community agency in engaging the government and corporate power. He has lived his entire life in Nigeria’s Niger Delta
JOHN JOSEPH ATSU
Johnjoseph ‘JJ’ Atsu is We the People’s project assistant on Human Rights and Climate Justice. JJ studied Sociology at the University of Calabar, and works closely with communities impacted by climate change in southern Nigeria. He documents existing and emerging impacts of climate change on these communities, and supports them to build resilience. JJ is passionate about protecting the Cross River Forests and the rich wildlife in it. He researches and contributes to advocacy and policy recommendations aimed at ending deforestation and protecting community livelihoods.
Stanley Luis
Stanley Luis is a media producer, editor, and creative director who brings ideas to life across every stage of production, from concept and shoot through post and final delivery. With a sharp eye for pacing, visual storytelling, and detail, he blends technical craft with creative vision to shape content that feels polished, purposeful, and memorable. Equal parts hands-on editor and big-picture creative lead, Stanley thrives on turning raw material into stories that connect.
OTI UROWAYINO
Oti Urowayino is a seasoned professional serving as the Head of Administration at We the People. With a wealth of experience in organizational management and a deep-rooted passion for humanitarian causes, Oti leads the administrative team in ensuring the seamless operation of the organization's initiatives. Driven by a commitment to efficiency and effectiveness, Oti excels in optimizing administrative processes and resource allocation to support the organization’s mission. His strategic approach to team coordination and resource management enables him to facilitate the smooth execution of projects. Through his unwavering dedication to enhancing operational performance, Oti exemplifies commitment to driving positive change within the administrative domain. His tireless efforts to uphold the values of We the People and his dedication to creating an equitable and harmonious workplace are his guiding principles.
GRACE APPOLOS Esq
Grace Appolos is a lawyer and Programs Manager at We the People, leading initiatives on human rights, environment and climate justice. Leveraging her legal expertise, she advocates for marginalized communities impacted by climate change while mentoring young activists through We the People's Rights Academy, fostering the next generation of human and ecological rights defenders. Grace spearheads research, develops policy recommendations, and engages in strategic litigation to advance human and environmental justice. Her dedication to empowering communities and promoting sustainability positions her as a key force in driving transformative change and ecological justice.
PAUL ATSU
Paul Atsu holds a post graduate degree in Accounting, and serves as the financial officer of We the People. Paul works to ensure that the organization follows through with generally accepted accounting standards and principles. Paul maintains accounting communication with partners and ensures that We the People stays accountable to its ideas and also to its partners. Beyond his professional calling, Paul is passionate about humanity and environmental sustainability, which makes We the People a perfect fit to harness his strength. Paul also assists in the Administrative work of the organization and has over the years, served in that capacity.
NSIKAK PETER
Nsikak Peter Udofot is a project officer on Mining and Forestry, as well as a researcher who leads the Mining Justice campaign at We The People's Research and Advocacy Hub. He is a product of We the People’s Rights Academy which has built him to become a young environmentalist, climate change & human rights activist, thereby propelling him to lend his voice against forms of injustices and inequalities both locally and globally. In addition to leading the work on mining at WTP, Nsikak also supports the organisation's interventions that addresses deforestation, climate change, climate injustice, gender inequalities and other ecological concerns in the Niger Delta. Currently, he is on a mission to restore mangroves around the coastal areas of Cross River state. Nsikak's strong desire to see a better world is evident in his work to ensuring that the voices of frontline communities are heard, and that the government respects the ecological rights of people.
UKEME ALBERT
Ukeme Albert Ekong is a development practitioner with over 12-years’experience. She is the head of We the People’s Research and Advocacy Hub in Calabar. In this role, she leads campaigns and conducts researches around the organization’s core mandate. As Head of Office, Ukeme plays a crucial role in coordinating daily undertakings to ensure smooth operations within the organization. She leads in developing and implementing ecological interventions, and fostering critical partnerships. Ukeme coordinates We the People’s Rights Academy where she manages the training of young ecological and human rights advocates. She also leads We the People’s weekly radio programme ‘Eco Dialogue’. Ukeme is a feminist with passion for gender equality and a more inclusive society. Ukeme’s dedication and expertise make her an invaluable asset to We the People.
Augustine Vicker Azubuike Uka, Esq.
Augustine Vicker Azubuike Uka (Austin-Vicker) is a lawyer, human rights advocate, digital content creator, and Project Officer at We the People (Centre for Social Studies and Development). In this role, he leads strategic initiatives focused on environmental accountability, ecological justice, policy reform, and civil rights protection. Leveraging his background in legal practice and civic engagement, Augustine designs and executes high-impact programs, including police-youth strategic dialogues and legal literacy interventions for communities facing environmental degradation and rights violations.
He is the founder and curator of the Street Law Series, an innovative digital media platform dedicated to demystifying statutory legal frameworks, consumer rights, and civic protections for everyday citizens. An author and writer, Augustine routinely contributes original poetry, essayistic prose, and legal commentary exploring resilience, ethical leadership, and human connection—equipping diverse audiences across Africa with the communication and advocacy tools needed to drive civic change and build meaningful networks.
Augustine brings valuable organizational and strategic experience to the team, having served as Programs Manager for the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (Cross River Chapter) and Publicity Secretary for the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum (Calabar Branch). Deeply committed to youth empowerment and community agency, he seamlessly integrates law, digital storytelling, and strategic public engagement as powerful instruments for social transformation, human rights protection, and sustainable policy reform.
Jude Edu
Jude Edu serves as the Rights Academy Prefect at We the People. In this role, Jude leads initiatives aimed at educating and empowering youths on human rights and ecological justice, fostering a new generation of advocates for sustainable development. Passionate about community engagement, environment and climate justice, Jude draws on personal experience and deep-rooted connections to inspire change and hold government and corporations accountable for environmental degradation. Jude also oversees alumni projects, ensuring ongoing support and collaboration for graduates of the Rights Academy as they continue to champion human and ecological rights in their respective communities.
Happiness Dickson
Happiness Dickson is a visual designer passionate about turning ideas into meaningful visual experiences. I specialize in brand identity, visual communication, and creating designs that help businesses and organizations communicate clearly and stand out