Dr. Ehighalua is a distinguished legal scholar, human rights advocate, and international law expert with more than two decades of progressive experience across Africa, Europe, and North America. 

As Deputy Global General Counsel at Project Yananai, Dr. Ehighalua brings a unique blend of leadership in constitutional, criminal, and international law, driving policy, compliance, advocacy, and research to advance justice, governance, and sustainable development worldwide.

Dr. Ehighalua’s career is marked by high-impact leadership roles in organizations focused on human rights, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and global justice. As Director at the Center for Constitutional, Criminal, and International Law, he leads on policy, strategy, and advocacy covering human trafficking, refugee rights, criminal justice reform, and institution-building. He provides strategic expertise to international boards, chairs climate justice committees, and advises on global ESG and human rights matters.

Previously, Dr. Ehighalua served as Global Policy & Advocacy Manager at Free the Slaves, where he led international advocacy on forced labor, modern slavery, migration, and gender-based violence, engaging with governments, multilateral agencies, and the United Nations to influence global policy and the Sustainable Development Goals. As Legal & Advocacy Director at Rights and Security International, he implemented international law reform strategies, supervised legal teams, and built coalitions addressing the intersection of human rights, national security, and privacy law.

Dr. Ehighalua has an extensive background in legal practice, having worked as a human rights lawyer and caseworker for leading law firms and organizations in the UK, managing thousands of complex cases and achieving consistently high success rates in appeals and litigation. He has also led governance and democracy programs, managed multi-country donor initiatives, and contributed to security sector reform in West Africa.

A recognized thought leader, Dr. Ehighalua has authored peer-reviewed training manuals, policy submissions, and numerous articles on international law, justice reform, wrongful convictions, counterterrorism, and constitutional development. He has represented organizations at major global conferences, advised international commissions, and served as a contributing editor for prominent legal publications.

Dr. Ehighalua holds multiple advanced degrees in law and global policy, including an SJD/PhD from American University, an M.A. from the Institute of World Politics, an M.I.P.P. from Johns Hopkins SAIS, an LL.M. from Emory University School of Law, and legal practice qualifications from the UK, Finland, and Nigeria. He is a recipient of several prestigious fellowships and awards and has been recognized for his contributions to global human rights and legal reform.

With a passion for justice, sustainable development, and institutional integrity, Dr. Ehighalua is dedicated to supporting Project Yananai’s mission through robust legal leadership, strategic counsel, and a commitment to advancing equitable and lasting impact across the globe.