Omowonuola Fayemiro, a public administration scholar with a distinct voice in public and nonprofit management, is charting a course toward more effective partnerships between government and civil society.

Through her ongoing research, she continues to shine a spotlight on the strategic importance of NGOs in Nigerian society, especially in shaping public policy and delivering essential services.

A Nigerian by origin and deeply influenced by her experiences during the military rule of General Sani Abacha, Omowonuola understands the indispensable role of the third sector.

“Growing up during a period of heavy political repression made me appreciate how NGOs supported communities and championed basic freedoms,” she said. “It shaped the questions I now ask as a researcher.”

Her academic journey started with an undergraduate thesis on economic integration within ECOWAS, but she soon discovered that NGOs were doing far more than just supporting government policy — they were bridging gaps in trust, access, and delivery.

This realisation led her to pursue a career focused on how government and nonprofit actors can work more strategically together.

At the core of her work is a fundamental question: How can NGOs influence government policies in a way that supports both their missions and national development? She argues that NGOs in Nigeria hold unique social capital and proximity to local communities, which makes them invaluable partners in policy implementation.

Omowonuola’s recent research explores how Nigerian NGOs adapt to government regulations and political shifts.

Presented at the 2022 ARNOVA Conference in North Carolina, her study revealed both collaboration and tension in the sector’s relationship with the state.

“What we see is a mix of strategic alignment and resistance,” she explained.

“NGOs want to maintain their independence, but they also recognise that government policy can open — or close — doors.”

Unlike much of the existing literature that focuses on Western contexts, Omowonuola’s research centres on the African experience. She believes that theories born in the Global North often fall short in explaining the complexities of African civil society.

“The dynamics here are different,” she said. “Our history, institutions, and expectations create unique conditions that demand context-specific analysis.”

It was also discovered by this medium that her work also serves a larger goal: decolonising the field of nonprofit studies.

As one of the few scholars focusing on African NGOs from both a theoretical and empirical standpoint, she is actively contributing to a more inclusive global academic conversation.

Her findings have practical implications, especially for policymakers and development practitioners in Nigeria.

By encouraging formal mechanisms for collaboration — such as joint advisory committees, funding partnerships, and shared policy forums — Omowonuola believes governments can better leverage the agility and insight of NGOs.

She also urged NGOs to invest in research and policy training. “Advocacy is more effective when backed by evidence,” she noted. “If we want to influence policy, we must first understand it — and contribute to shaping it.”

While her work has a global reach, her heart remains firmly tied to Nigeria. “This research is deeply personal,” she shared. “I’m not just studying policy for the sake of it. I want to help improve how things work on the ground.”

Colleagues describe her as a scholar committed to both rigour and relevance. Her former supervisor once remarked, “Omowonuola is the kind of researcher who sees the connection between data and dignity.”

Looking ahead, Omowonuola plans to expand her research into rural governance and how community-based NGOs manage informal power dynamics in areas with limited government presence. “These are the real laboratories of democracy,” she said.

She also hopes to mentor more African scholars in the field, stating, “Our perspectives are essential. The more we study our own contexts, the better we can respond to them.”