Solape Sonuga is a policy advocate, governance expert, and leadership development strategist working at the intersection of public institutions, human capital development, inclusive governance, and African regional cooperation. She is committed to strengthening the institutions and people shaping Africa’s future.
Solape is the Director of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), a youth leadership development programme nurturing the next generation of public-sector and legislative leaders. Through LMI, she has trained and mentored hundreds of emerging leaders, building a growing network of young people equipped to understand and contribute to public institutions. The programme’s fourth cohort received over 7,000 applications and has built an alumni network of more than 200 young leaders.
She also serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Head of Programmes at the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) Secretariat, working with parliamentary leadership across Africa on legislative effectiveness, parliamentary cooperation, inclusive governance, and regional initiatives. Her work includes supporting efforts to strengthen the role of African legislatures in advancing cooperation and addressing shared continental challenges, including intra-African trade and investment.
Previously, Solape served as the youngest legislative aide to the Speaker of Nigeria’s 9th House of Representatives, where she coordinated the Speaker’s policy think tank and contributed to legislative priorities spanning governance reform, inclusion, sustainable development, electoral reform, women’s political representation, police reform, and student financing. She also contributed to the development of the 9th House Legislative Agenda.
Within the Global Shapers Community, Solape has held multiple leadership roles in the Abuja Hub, including Shaping Politics, Recruitment and Partnerships Lead. She led the team that convened the first Nigeria Global Shapers Conference in 2023 and currently serves as Curator of the Abuja Hub (2026–2027).
Her work is grounded in a simple conviction: lasting change at scale requires capable institutions and a generation of leaders equipped to shape them.
