By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The International Human Rights Protection Service (IHRPS) has appointed Nigerian security expert, Ambassador Dr. Gift Ugwu, as Deputy Chief of Staff( DCoS) in the Office of the Special Envoy for West Africa, in recognition of her years of work in conflict resolution and human rights advocacy across the region.

The appointment was announced by the organisation’s Special Envoy to West Africa, Ambassador Charles Omini, who cited Ugwu’s track record in peacebuilding, mediation and community development.

Ugwu previously served as IHRPS Director of Peace and Conflict Resolution for West Africa, a role in which she drove regional initiatives on conflict prevention, mediation and human rights promotion.

In her new office, she is expected to work closely with the Special Envoy on programmes advancing justice, peaceful coexistence and the protection of vulnerable populations in the sub-region.

A native of Anambra State, Ugwu holds a first degree in Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria and a Master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, for which she researched women’s participation in peace and security processes, using Ogoni women of the Niger Delta as a case study.

She is currently undertaking a second Master’s in Leadership and Governance in Kigali, Rwanda, alongside preparations for doctoral research on peacebuilding, environmental justice and migration.

She has represented Nigeria at leadership and diplomacy programmes run by Best Diplomats LLC in Kuala Lumpur (2023) and Dubai (2025), after which she was named the organisation’s Country Representative in Nigeria.

Her honours include an honorary doctorate in Peace and Conflict Resolution (2023), induction into the National Association of Criminology and Security Practitioners of Nigeria (2024), and certification as a licensed mediator by the Institute of Global Peace and Conflict Management (2025).

In 2026, she founded Castle & Castle Mediation and Negotiation Ltd/Gte to promote restorative justice and dispute resolution, in addition to running Firstgift Consult, Teleiotes Interbiz, Firstgift Multipurpose Cooperative Society, and ABG Prostasia Nigeria Limited. She also advocates for women’s inclusion in peace and security through the Concerned Mothers of Niger Delta (COMIND).

IHRPS said her appointment would strengthen its human rights and conflict resolution work across West Africa.