CODE Acting CEO Selected for Prestigious Global Advocacy Accelerator Program

Maryam Aminu

Connected Development (CODE) has announced that its Acting Chief Executive Officer, Hyeladzira James Mshelia, has been selected to join the second cohort of the Advocacy Accelerator Program, an initiative of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).

Confirming the development, Nankpak Cirfat, Communications Officer -Media Relations, CODE, noted that the recognition further affirms the organisation’s leadership in advancing health sector accountability and amplifying citizen voices in Nigeria and beyond.

Hyeladzira was chosen from a pool of 618 applicants worldwide and joins 24 exceptional advocates across Africa and Asia who will benefit from the highly competitive program. The initiative arrives at a critical time when low- and middle-income countries are under increasing pressure to mobilize sustainable domestic health budgets.

Backed by funding and mentorship from GHAI and supported by Resolve to Save Lives, the program will equip participants with advanced tools to drive budget advocacy for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as tobacco control, mental health, cardiovascular health, road safety, and drowning prevention which collectively claim more than 43 million lives annually but attract only 1- 2% of global health funding.

For CODE, the program presents an opportunity to push for increased and sustained domestic budget allocation to Nigeria’s health sector, boosting the country’s preparedness for health emergencies and prevention of avoidable deaths.

Speaking on her selection, Mshelia said “What excites me most about this accelerator is the opportunity to sharpen my skills and those of CODE in advancing budget advocacy, especially learning how better to translate technical fiscal data into compelling, people-centered narratives while leveraging this opportunity to scale our advocacy and push for improved service delivery in Nigeria’s health sector.”

Also named among the selected participants is CODE’s Program Officer, Abdulaziz Hussaini, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring Nigeria’s health systems receive the resources they urgently need.