BudgIT Appoints Vahyala Kwaga as New Country Director for Nigeria

BudgIT, a civic-tech organization dedicated to enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement across Africa, has announced the appointment of Mr. Vahyala Kwaga as the new Country Director for Nigeria, effective April 1, 2026. This strategic move follows a leadership transition within the organization as it aims to amplify its impact on public governance and policy.

Mr. Kwaga takes over the role boasting an impressive background in governance and institutional leadership. He has been with BudgIT since 2021, occupying several key positions including Senior Researcher and Deputy Country Director. His leadership contributions have significantly strengthened BudgIT’s research output and enhanced its policy engagement efforts, fostering better coordination among various programs.

Prior to joining BudgIT, Mr. Kwaga built a robust career across the legal and private sectors. His professional journey includes roles such as Legal Officer, Senior Research Associate, and Managing Partner, providing him with a unique blend of legal expertise and practical insight into governance and public sector dynamics.

Academically, Mr. Kwaga holds an LLB (Hons.) from Ahmadu Bello University and an LLM (First Class) from the University of Ibadan. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Administration at Babcock University, Ogun State, further enriching his qualifications for the pivotal role.

In his new capacity, Mr. Kwaga aims to lead BudgIT Nigeria with a renewed focus on enhancing the quality of its outputs, bolstering its influence on public policy, expanding funding avenues, and fostering institutional excellence across its initiatives.

Expressing his vision for BudgIT, Mr. Kwaga said, “My focus is to position BudgIT not only as a leading source of public finance data but as a center of analysis and insight that actively shapes policy outcomes. We will deepen the citizen-government interface through more consistent engagement platforms, while strengthening our internal capacity to deliver at the highest standard.”

Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s Global Director and Co-founder, praised Mr. Kwaga’s extensive expertise and clarity of purpose necessary for guiding BudgIT through its next phase of growth. “Vahyala embodies the depth of expertise and clarity of purpose required to lead BudgIT at this stage of its evolution. We are confident in his ability to further consolidate BudgIT’s role as a leading voice in civic innovation and public accountability across Africa,” he remarked.

BudgIT also took the opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contributions of Mr. Joseph Amenaghawon, who led the organization during the transition period. He will continue his role as Head of Civic Hive while overseeing administrative functions for the Lagos office.

As Nigeria faces increasingly complex governance challenges, the appointment of Mr. Kwaga signifies BudgIT’s unwavering commitment to advancing accountability, strengthening institutions, and implementing reforms that enhance governance outcomes throughout the nation and across the African continent.