Lesley Agams is a Nigeria-based legal expert and country conditions specialist, providing authoritative reports and analysis on gender, human rights, and socio-legal issues across West Africa. She goes beyond the headlines to deliver nuanced, data-driven analysis on women's rights, sexual & gender-based violence, the socio-political landscape in Nigeria and more.
Lesley Agams | Expert on Nigeria & West Africa
Lesley Agams is a leading subject matter expert on Nigeria, specializing in the intersection of law, gender, and human rights. As founder of Naija by Nature™, she delivers authoritative country condition reports and tailored advisory services for businesses, investors, governments, NGOs, and researchers navigating the complex realities of West Africa.
With decades of experience as a lawyer, social entrepreneur, and gender rights advocate, Lesley brings unmatched insight into Nigeria’s legal systems and social dynamics. Her areas of expertise span critical and sensitive issues, including:
- Gender-based violence (GBV), domestic and sexual violence
- LGBTQ+ rights and the legal risks of identity
- Family law (marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance)
- Security threats, including cults, confraternities, and political violence
- Migration and protection, including internal relocation alternatives and risk assessments
Lesley’s work is distinguished by her unique combination of rigorous research, statistical analysis, and firsthand experience. She has spent years on the ground in Nigeria, building and leading organizations that champion women's rights and support survivors of SGBV. Her extensive litigation background provides rare practical insight into how Nigerian and ECOWAS laws operate in real-world contexts.
As a former country director for Oxfam GB and Ashoka Innovators for the Public, Lesley offers a deep understanding of development challenges, civil society, and governance in the region. Her expertise goes beyond surface-level data to provide critical context, deep analysis, and actionable intelligence that clients can trust.
Experience
Lesley Agams’ expertise is grounded in rigorous research, data-driven analysis, and decades of direct engagement with Nigeria’s most pressing legal and social issues. Her work combines on-the-ground knowledge with global best practices to deliver insightful, actionable solutions.
Lesley integrates statistical analysis, emerging technologies, and quantitative research methods to produce robust, evidence-based reports, monitor program impact, and shape policy recommendations.
Trusted International Expertise:
Lesley has provided expert testimony, consultancy, and strategic advice to organizations including:
- Oxfam International
- DFID
- The European Parliament
- UN Women
- The Central Bank of Nigeria
- The Nigerian Presidency
A skilled communicator and facilitator, Lesley has also designed and led training programs across Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Liberia, cultivating a network of talented researchers, project staff, and changemakers—many of them women. She excels at building high-performing teams that deliver quality research and impactful projects tailored to local realities.
Lesley is an active member of:
- The Nigerian Bar Association
- The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria)
- The Nigerian, West African, and African Feminist Forums
Since 2016, she has partnered with Global Rights to ensure accountability for mass atrocities in Southeastern Nigeria. Since 2003, she has worked with Alliances for Africa to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and advance women’s political participation in the region.