Stephen Dada

Stephen Dada is an accomplished development professional with over a decade of experience advancing sustainable economic growth, inclusive policy reforms, and rural livelihoods in Nigeria and internationally.

He currently serves as a Teaching Assistant and graduate student at the University of Washington, where he is pursuing a Master of Public Administration. Prior to this, he graduated from the same institution with a Masters of Law - LLM in Sustainable International Development. Stephen has held leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation), Carter Center - Nigeria, and The World Bank-assisted Fadama Project, focusing on policy, regulatory, and administrative frameworks to enhance public and private sector performance.

He is passionate about participatory governance, gender equality, rule of law, and climate adaptation, with expertise in organizing public-private dialogues, advocating for women’s land rights, and strengthening agricultural value chains. Stephen is a certified mediator, arbitrator, and project manager, and has received distinguished fellowships and awards, including the Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Joan Fitzpatrick Fellowship in Human Rights. Stephen brings a unique blend of legal scholarship, field experience, and policy insight, committed to empowering communities and fostering accountable governance.