Biography
Olaniyan Sanusi is a democracy, governance, and development professional with a decade of experience advancing citizen participation, democratic governance, and inclusive political processes in Nigeria and Africa. His work spans democracy programming, policy engagement, and civic participation, focusing on strengthening the demand side of governance and equipping citizens with tools and platforms to engage meaningfully with public institutions.
At Yiaga Africa, Olaniyan contributes to programme design and implementation within the governance pillar. Under the Deliberative Democracy program, he leads the establishment and coordination of People’s Assembly groups across 13 states and 20 local government areas, creating spaces for citizens to influence public policy and governance decisions. His work also contributed to the Not Too Young To Run campaign, which secured constitutional reform reducing the age eligibility for elective office and advancing youth political participation.
As a Policy Leader Fellow, Olaniyan’s research focuses on institutionalizing deliberative democracy for enhanced citizen participation in Nigeria. Building on his practical experience, he explores how deliberative mechanisms can be embedded in governance systems, how participation can move beyond symbolic engagement, and how institutions can learn and adapt in difficult political contexts. His goal is to contribute to more inclusive and participatory democratic governance. He holds a BA in International Relations from Houdegbe North American University, Benin, and is a member of the Democracy R&D network.