The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has appointed renowned civil society leader, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, as Chairman of its Advisory Board, following a board election held over the weekend.
Rafsanjani, a prominent advocate for human rights, transparency and good governance, currently serves as Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and heads Transparency International in Nigeria. He also chairs the Board of Trustees of Amnesty International Nigeria and co-convenes the Say No Campaign.
With over three decades of experience in governance reforms, extractive sector transparency and civic advocacy, Rafsanjani is expected to strengthen CAPPA’s work in defending public resources and democratic space across Africa. He has previously represented Sub-Saharan Africa on the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Civil Society Coalition and is a founding member of the Transition Monitoring Group.
Speaking after his election, Rafsanjani pledged to further position CAPPA as a steadfast defender of public interest, noting that the organisation will deepen its interventions in public health advocacy, environmental justice, democratic rights and protection of public services.
The new advisory board also includes Akinbode Oluwafemi (Executive Director and Secretary), Evelyn Nkanga Bassey (Treasurer), Scott Pegg, Kayode Ogunbunmi, Betty Abah and Doifie Buokoribo.
Meanwhile, the board has cautioned against Nigeria’s growing rush toward solid minerals, particularly lithium and other minerals critical to global energy transition. CAPPA warned that although the sector’s contribution to GDP has risen to about 4.6 percent, the rapid expansion is occurring alongside land dispossession, displacement of host communities and environmental degradation.
The organisation drew parallels with the Niger Delta experience, warning that Nigeria risks repeating a resource-curse scenario unless government ensures strict regulation, transparency, community consent and environmental safeguards.
“There is no just transition if communities do not share in its gains,” the board stated, urging a people-centred resource governance model that prioritises land, water, heritage and livelihoods.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening alliances with labour, grassroots groups, women and youth movements across the continent to defend civic space and public accountability.