Oley Dibba-Wadda is Appointed Executive Secretary of ADEA
Oley Dibba-Wadda, ADEA’s newly appointed Executive Secretary, assumes function as Head of the Secretariat of ADEA, July 1st, 2014.
Oley Dibba-Wadda is a strategic analyst and expert in international development policy and programming whose work has focused more particularly on education and gender equality in Africa.
She brings to ADEA her extensive experience in strategic policy development, organizational and program management, policy analysis and leadership management.
Prior to joining ADEA, she was Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), working to advance the cause of women, peace and security in Africa and before that, Executive Director of the Forum of African Women Educationists (FAWE), crusading for girls’ education in Africa.
In 2012, she was awarded “Inspiring Woman of Excellence” in The Gambia and in 2013, "Women Leadership Award" in Mauritius. Mrs. Dibba-Wadda sits on several Advisory Boards and is Ambassador for international projects.
“Africa is rising and as such, we need to ensure that the right investments are made in education.” Mrs. Dibba-Wadda says.
Oley Dibba-Wadda stresses that “It is critical for ADEA to take the lead in ensuring that we accelerate the education agenda so it that resonates with the realities of the “Africa we want”, an African architecture that is meaningful to Africans for Africa’s sustainable development.” In essence, she says this means “education and training that will stimulate critical skills development for employability, peace and prosperity, and for Africans to become a dynamic driving force in the world.” For ADEA’s new Executive Secretary, “This is the time to act.”
Ms. Dibba-Wadda is ADEA’s fifth and first female Executive Secretary since it was created in 1988. She succeeds Ahlin Byll-Cataria, ADEA’s Executive Secretary between 2008 and 2013.
ADEA welcomes Oley Dibba-Wadda and wishes her success in her new function of Executive Secretary.
For more information, please contact Thanh-Hoa Desruelles, Pricipal External Relations and Communication Officer, t.desruelles@afdb.org
