Ambassador Onyinye Mamah, a prominent Nigerian advocate for women’s empowerment and social development, has recorded a resounding victory on the national advocacy stage following her emergence as Chairperson of Advocacy under the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), a coalition driving nutrition-focused interventions across Nigeria and parts of Africa.
Mamah, who is also the founder of the Women Support Women for Human Empowerment and Mentorship Initiative (WOSUWO) and the Heroine Women Foundation, has long been recognized for her grassroots mobilization, gender advocacy, and humanitarian engagements aimed at uplifting vulnerable women and children. Her emergence, described as both “national and international,” underscores her growing influence within policy advocacy and civil society leadership, especially within networks aligned to the global Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.
Her victory, which came unopposed after what she described as a rigorous and transparent process, reflects not only her experience but also her credibility within advocacy circles spanning Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. CS-SUNN, known for its multi-sectoral approach to tackling malnutrition, operates as a key partner within the broader SUN framework, supported by international development actors including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
In an emotionally charged statement following her emergence, Mamah expressed deep gratitude and described the journey as both intense and divinely orchestrated.
“I WON!! It’s no mean feat!! It’s both a national, international and south-eastern winning. It was thorough, rigorous, daring, scrupulous, highly documented, procedural, stressing and no chicanery type of transition,” she declared.
Highlighting the uniqueness of her victory, she added, “It’s not a cheap winning but divinity dropped me on an unopposed ladder after all knocks and cradles of eligibility steps… A victory beyond human comprehension. Returned unopposed because my opposers were disqualified… I am not boasting, I am giving this back to God.”
She further noted that the election process mirrored the procedural standards of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasizing its transparency and credibility. According to her, the contest was “a frightening victory… a combat that ate up almost the whole day,” reinforcing the intensity behind her eventual emergence.
Mamah dedicated her victory to advocates and changemakers, stating, “I dedicate this success to everyone fighting a sincere course in life… Indeed only the Lord makes kings.”
Her re-election into the advocacy leadership of CS-SUNN marks what many observers describe as a significant boost for nutrition advocacy, gender inclusion, and grassroots development in Nigeria and across the African region. With her dual platforms, WOSUWO and the Heroine Women Foundation, expected to further complement her new role, stakeholders anticipate a renewed push for inclusive policies, women’s empowerment, and improved nutrition outcomes across vulnerable communities.
