The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has appointed renowned Nigerian civil rights leader Auwal Musa Rafsanjani as the new Chair of its Advisory Board, following a recent board election held over the weekend. The organization described his appointment as a renewed mandate to intensify efforts in defending people, public resources, and democratic spaces across Nigeria and the African continent.
In addition to his longstanding leadership in civil society, Mr. Rafsanjani serves as the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and heads Transparency International Nigeria. He also chairs the Board of Trustees of Amnesty International Nigeria, leads the Zero Corruption Coalition, and co-convenes the Say No Campaign.
His work has spanned regional and international platforms, including his role as a former Sub-Saharan Africa representative on the Coordination Committee of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Civil Society Coalition. A founding member of the Transition Monitoring Group, Rafsanjani has spent over 30 years advocating for extractive transparency, anti-corruption reforms, human rights, and legislative accountability across West Africa.
CAPPA expressed confidence that Rafsanjani’s extensive experience in anti-corruption campaigns and policy advocacy will bolster its efforts across Africa. The organization emphasized that his leadership comes at a critical time when civic space is shrinking, state resources are increasingly being commercialized, and communities face dual threats of economic exclusion and environmental degradation.
The Advisory Board also includes Akinbode Oluwafemi (Executive Director and Board Secretary), Evelyn Nkanga Bassey (Treasurer), Scott Pegg, Kayode Ogunbunmi, Betty Abah, and Doifie Buokoribo. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise in policy advocacy, environmental and human rights activism, global development, and community organizing.
Following his election, Rafsanjani stated that his main goal is to position CAPPA as a fearless watchdog committed to the public good. He highlighted core areas such as public health advocacy, environmental protection, extractive justice, democratic rights, and the defense of public services, promising stronger institutional focus and strategic clarity in these sectors.
The board also issued a stark warning regarding Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly amid the global energy transition that has intensified the hunt for lithium and other “green minerals” vital for batteries, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure.
While corporations tout this as a new economic frontier and Nigeria recently celebrated a rise in mining sector contributions to GDP—up to 4.6% from less than 0.5% a decade ago—the board cautioned that this growth is accompanied by land grabs, forced displacements, environmental damage, and resurgent concession politics in local communities.
They warned that Nigeria risks repeating the tragedies of the Niger Delta, where oil wealth generated revenue but devastated ecosystems and livelihoods. The board stressed that without strong regulation, community consent, and transparent governance, Nigeria could replace one resource curse with another.
Policymakers were reminded that a just transition must include communities sharing in the benefits. CAPPA called for a people-centered resource framework that recognizes land, water, culture, and livelihoods as more than collateral for investment. It urged citizens to scrutinize development models that enrich a few at the expense of many and the environment.
Reaffirming its commitment, CAPPA vowed to strengthen alliances with labor movements, grassroots organizations, women’s groups, youth organizations, and community defenders across Africa. It emphasized that the fight for public accountability and participation is a collective effort that cannot succeed with fragmented voices
