CAIR — Center for African International Relations
The People

Conveners of a new diplomacy.

A founding team that moves between Lansing and Lagos, between policy halls and community rooms — building the institutional muscle behind CAIR's mandate.

4
Founding officers
6+
Board & advisors
2
Headquarters
7
Countries represented
Founding Leadership

The officers of the Center

Elected under the CAIR Constitution to a renewable three-year term. Each officer leads a portfolio aligned with the Center's five thematic units.

OW
Mr. Olatunbosun Williams
Chairman & President

Founder of CAIR. Two decades of work across diaspora policy, civic infrastructure, and Africa–America institution-building. Based between Lansing, MI and Abuja, NG.

EE
Dr. Echo Emmanuel Ogbenjuwa
Vice Chairman

Academic and practitioner bridging governance research with on-the-ground diplomatic engagement across West and Central Africa. Based in Washington, D.C.

EM
Mrs. Echo Mary Ocholongwa
Secretary

Operations and institutional design lead, responsible for the constitutional integrity and member-facing programs of CAIR. Based in Abuja, Nigeria.

OW
Ambassador Omolara Williams
Treasurer

Career diplomat with deep financial stewardship experience across multilateral institutions and pan-African initiatives. Based in Lansing, Michigan.

Advisors & Fellows

A standing council across continents

  • AO
    Prof. Ade Okonkwo
    Senior Advisor · Trade & AfCFTA
  • LC
    Hon. Linda Carter
    Senior Advisor · U.S. Policy
  • KA
    Dr. Kwame Asante
    Fellow · Peace & Security
  • AD
    Ms. Aïcha Diallo
    Fellow · Youth Diplomacy
  • SM
    Dr. Samuel Mensah
    Fellow · Research & Publications
  • ZB
    Mrs. Zainab Bello
    Advisor · Diaspora Engagement
Open call

We are still building the team. Walk with us.

CAIR welcomes practitioners, scholars, and diaspora leaders to join as members, fellows, or partner organizations.

Become a member