The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has announced Auwal Rafsanjani, as the new Chairman of its Advisory Board, following a board election held over the weekend.
A statement signed by CAPPA Executive Director Akinbode Oluwafemi, the organisation describes Rafsanjani’s emergence as a renewed mandate to strengthen its defence of public resources, democratic space, and community rights across Nigeria and the African continent.
Rafsanjani, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Head of Transparency International in Nigeria, brings over three decades of experience in anti-corruption advocacy, legislative reform, and human rights activism.
CAPPA said Rafsanjani’s leadership comes at a crucial time when civic space is shrinking, and state and environmental resources face growing commercialisation and exploitation pressures.
It expressed confidence that his policy experience and activist background will enhance the organisation’s impact in defending environmental justice, public health, and democratic governance across Africa.
The newly constituted Advisory Board also includes Akinbode Oluwafemi (Executive Director and Board Secretary), Evelyn Nkanga Bassey (Treasurer), Scott Pegg, Kayode Ogunbunmi, Betty Abah, and Doifie Buokoribo, all of whom bring deep experience in rights activism, community organising, and policy advocacy.
In his acceptance remarks, Rafsanjani pledged to strengthen CAPPA’s role as a fearless watchdog for the public good, prioritising public health, environmental protection, extractive justice, and defence of democratic institutions.
The board also raised concerns about Nigeria’s rapidly expanding mining sector, warning that the global race for lithium and other “green minerals” could trigger a new wave of land grabs, forced displacement, and environmental damage if not properly regulated.
While noting the government’s celebration of the mining sector’s contribution of 4.6% to Nigeria’s GDP, the board cautioned that unchecked extraction would risk repeating the Niger Delta experience, where oil wealth brought national income but devastated local communities and ecosystems.
“There is no just transition if communities do not share in its gains,” the board stated, urging the government to enforce stronger regulations, ensure community consent, and adopt transparent governance frameworks.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to building alliances with labour unions, women’s groups, youth networks, and community defenders across Africa, stressing that the fight for accountability and public participation must be collective and continuous.
