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Amnesty International has announced the appointment of Osai Ojigho, a human rights lawyer, as its new Country Director for Nigeria. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the human rights organisation said Ojigho will support the expansion of its work on housing rights, gender, children’s rights, armed conflict and the human rights responsibilities of corporate organisations in the country, among others.

“We welcome Osai Ojigho who will lead our operations in Nigeria where we have spent the past two years consolidating our presence on the ground by supporting local human rights organizations, and by monitoring and campaigning against human rights violations,” said Colm. O. Cuanachain, Amnesty International’s Senior Director of the Office of the Secretary General.

Before her appointment, Osai served as Oxfam’s Pan-African Programme Manager. Amnesty said Ojigho is a respected human rights lawyer who has had a vast experience in campaigning and development across Africa.

“Her knowledge of the region and understanding of the drivers of human rights violations will add value to the established reputation of Amnesty International as the leading human rights organization in Nigeria,” said Cuanachain.

Osai is a law graduate of the University of Lagos. She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, and obtained a practice diploma in International Human Rights from the College of Law of England and Wales in 2010.

“The presence of Amnesty International in Nigeria continues to improve the prospects for the realization of human rights across Africa,” said Osai Ojigho. “Working with local civil society organizations and the human rights community, Amnesty International Nigeria will campaign for accountability and safeguards for victims of human rights violations. Protecting human rights in Nigeria is crucial and will have wider impact across the continent.”