Electoral College Nigeria Gets New Board Members

The Electoral College Nigeria (ECN) has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors.

A statement from the ECN said the new board members are Seyi Bella Ayeni and Olufunke Rekiya Hassan, who will be joining the existing board members: Kunle Lawal, Zainab Buba Galadima, Ahmad Salihijo, Kevin Akoje, and others.

Ayeni is a distinguished Technology Lawyer and Certified Data Protection Officer, renowned for her expertise in Corporate Law, Data Protection, and Privacy. As a proud member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, she stands at the forefront of privacy and data protection standards globally. Ayeni’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding an LLB and LLM from the University of Buckingham, alongside an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Technology from the University of Law.

Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. focusing on “The Role of the Judiciary in the Promotion of Good Governance and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence,” further solidifying her commitment to integrating technology with legal principles for societal betterment.

Seyi Ayeni’s prowess extends beyond law and technology. She is a Harvard Certified Innovative and Strategic Business Analyst, showcasing a deep understanding of business strategy and analytics. This expertise, combined with her strong foundation in corporate communication and crisis management, was instrumental in her consultancy role with the African Union, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex challenges with strategic foresight.

Currently serving as the Deputy Director South-West for the Electoral College, Ayeni’s leadership and commitment to good governance are evident. She is not only a prominent academic but also a dedicated humanitarian, leading the organization 55 United, which champions the cause of good governance in Africa. Seyi Bella Ayeni is a remarkable professional, whose diverse expertise and unwavering dedication to public service and governance.

Also, Olufunke Rekiya Hassan is the Vice Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Lagos West Senatorial District of Lagos State.

She received her (LL.B) from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State (also known as Great Ife) and her Legum Baccalaureus (BL) from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus before venturing into the world of arbitration via an internship at the IDRI, International Dispute Resolution Institute, Abuja.

An inductee into the first-ever African Civic Engagement Academy (ACEA), her passion for good governance has led her to also become the Director for Lagos, Electoral College Nigeria(2020- 2021), a registered political mentor with WIMBIZ and the South West Social Secretary for the National Young Women in Politics Forum (NYWPF). She is a member of Amnesty International.

A true illustrious daughter of the soil and indigene of Ikorodu in Lagos State, Olufunke is a woman of many parts. She can be found engaging in entrepreneurial pursuits, learning a new language or volunteering her services to philanthropic causes.

She is currently working on skills and vocational trainings to equip persons across varying demographics for success in the Post Covid-19 economy.

The ECN board of trustees is composed of eminent Nigerians from various fields and backgrounds, who are appointed for their love for country, to serve in the work of political literacy in the country through interventions in politics and governance.