Global Citizen appoints Chuks-Adizue pioneer Managing Director, Africa

Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue has been announced as the first Managing Director, Afrika at Global Citizen, the world’s leading international advocacy organisation seeking to end extreme poverty.

Ifeoma is a seasoned professional with a rare mix of experience in brand management, sales, media and over 20 years’ experience building global brands across Africa. Her responsibilities will also focus on Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience, which is a long-term, large-scale effort to pioneer a first-of-its-kind international music touring circuit across Africa, driving economic investment, job creation and supporting entrepreneurship opportunities in each host country.

Global Citizen is headquartered in New York, with offices in Canada, South Africa, Nigeria, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

“Ifeoma’s extensive leadership experience, together with her passion for advocating for women and girls across Africa, perfectly aligns with Global Citizen’s mission,” said Liza Henshaw, Global Citizen’s President. “Her vast networks of relationships across various sectors will be instrumental in advancing our work across the African continent for years to come.”

The inaugural Move Afrika event, Move Afrika: Rwanda, was held in Kigali in December 2023, headlined by Grammy Award, Pulitzer Prize winning artist Kendrick Lamar, created by Global Citizen and pgLang, alongside the Rwanda Development Board. The event signalled the launch of an annual, multi-country tour, changing the face of live entertainment in Africa and investing in local economies, skill training and youth entrepreneurship. The event employed more than 1000 Rwandans, and engaged 75 percent local crew and production staff, with a specific focus on creating opportunities for skill development and international event training. Hailed by many as the most successful live music event ever staged in Rwanda, the show also featured performances by Zuchu, Bruce Melodie, DJ TOXXYK, Sherrie Silver, Ariel Wayz, Kivumbi King and Bruce The 1st.

Based out of Global Citizen’s office in Lagos, Ifeoma will spearhead the organization’s activities in Africa, driving the implementation of Global Citizen’s strategy across the continent, including the return of Move Afrika in the new year. As part of her responsibilities, Ifeoma will directly oversee key partnerships that will span business development, marketing, broadcast and event production, as well as Global Citizen’s Africa-based teams and operations across the continent.

In this newly created position, Ifeoma will work closely with Global Citizen’s executive leadership in New York City, playing an instrumental role in building relationships with private sector partners and within the philanthropic community.

Prior to this role, Ifeoma was the executive director, commercial at Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, makers of Dulux paint, where she led the sales and marketing teams to almost quadruple the business in four years.

A graduate of economics from the University of Jos, Ifeoma started her career with Procter & Gamble Nigeria where she held several leadership positions, before moving to Cadbury Nigeria then CAP Plc, and now Global Citizen.

A passionate advocate for women and girls, Ifeoma is the author of two books, ‘The Uncommon Woman’ and ‘Made for MORE’, and the founder of online platform the Uncommon Woman Movement, which is aimed at supporting career women to achieve greater impact and fulfillment. She also serves as Non-Executive Director on the board of FINCA Microfinance Bank Nigeria, focusing on economic growth and financial inclusion of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Ifeoma holds a degree in Economics from the University of Jos, Nigeria, and has received a number of accolades, including the Exceptional Leader of Excellence Award from the Global Women Economic Forum.