Experienced lawyer with a long-standing commitment to social justice, gender equality and good governance in Nigeria and West Africa. Over 20 years of experience working with different sectors of civil society, government and business on community and national projects, program and policy development. Intimate understanding of the Nigerian context and environment with strong professional networks regionally and globally.
Ms Lesley Agams is a practicing lawyer and active citizen in Nigeria. She has several degrees from various Nigerian universities and law schools and a raft of additional qualifications and achievements, including journalism. Lesley is a human rights defender and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of law, gender equality and access to justice. She has many interdisciplinary interests and commitments, including feminist movement building, women in peace and security, community development and health equity.
Lesley is a valued analyst and commentator on issues relating to women, human rights and civil liberties in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. Her knowledge of and experience in both justice systems and their political context and her long-standing commitment to social justice across West Africa and beyond makes her uniquely qualified to undertake expert witness work to advise courts and tribunals in the UK and elsewhere on the potential impact of returning failed and potentially vulnerable asylum seekers, deportations and extraditions, to potentially hostile environments in West Africa with immense implications for human rights and civil liberties. She is also a recognised author.
Lesley has over 20 years of experience working with different sectors of civil society, government and business. She has experience in gender based violence, family law, international development and a long-standing commitment to social justice, gender equality and environmental sustainability in Nigeria and West Africa.
She has worked on community, national and global projects, in program and policy development, with multi-country teams and remote teams, with international NGO’s and community based organisations. Her experience includes over 12 years at senior management level. She has an intimate understanding of the Nigerian context and environment, strong networks and a refreshing point of view.
She is active with civil society networks that promote rule of law, women in peace and security and feminist movement. She is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Federation Of Women Lawyers FIDA Nigeria and the Nigerian, West African and African Feminist Forums. She is a partner with Global Rights to Ensure Accountability for Mass Atrocities in South Eastern Nigeria since 2016. And partner with Alliances for Africa to end GBV and increase women’s political participation in South east Nigeria since 2003.