Ambassador Programme

Learn more about the Ambassadors Programme – the special purpose vehicle to enhance the visibility, awareness and adoption of ORCID in-country.

What is the ORCID-WACA Ambassador Programme?

The ORCID-WACA Ambassador Programme is a flagship initiative designed to build regional capacity and drive ORCID adoption across West and Central Africa. Ambassadors serve as champions, educators, and advocates for research identity and persistent identifiers within their institutions and professional networks. Selected ambassadors receive comprehensive training, resources, and support to conduct workshops, engage stakeholders, and promote ORCID adoption. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of research visibility in Africa while developing your professional skills and expanding your network.

What will Ambassadors do?

Conduct Workshops

Ambassadors will organise hands-on training sessions on ORCID to increase adoption in their respective academic communities

Institutional Outreach

Ambassadors engage the hierarchy of the institutions to help promote and adopt ORCID in their institutions

Community Leadership

Ambassadors participate actively in Community of Practice forums by sharing experiences and supporting peers in the region

Communications

Ambassadors promote events, outreaches, achievements and success stories of the ORCID-WACA project

Expected Outcomes of Ambassadors' Activities

High Rate of ORCID Adoption

More African researchers registered, trained, and equipped to make their work visible on the global stage.

Institutional Buy-In

Senior leadership buy-in that turns into institutional ORCID policies, system integrations, and durable, region-wide adoption.

Sustainable Community of Practice

A self-sustaining, bilingual peer network where African experience drives African solutions long beyond the project.

Greater Visibility and Support for African Researchers

Stronger regional and global visibility for African research, attracting new partners, funders, and policy support.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Dr Olanike Adelakun

ORCID–WACA Ambassador

Nigeria

Dr Olanike Adelakun is an Associate Professor and Dean of Law at Lead City University, Nigeria, with over 18 years of distinguished experience in legal academia and practice.

Dr Kossi-Messan Jacques AGBOKA

ORCID–WACA Ambassador

Dr Kossi-Messan Jacques Agboka brings over ten years of experience in climate finance, climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate justice, sustainable agriculture, and the protection of nature and the environment.

Dr Khali Allahmagani

ORCID–WACA Ambassador

Nigeria

Dr Khali Allahmagani is a librarian and lecturer at Kaduna State University, Nigeria, specialising in archives and records management.

Dr Bawa Boya

Researcher in Microbiology and Molecular Biology | ORCID–WACA Ambassador

Benin

Dr Bawa Boya is a researcher in microbiology and molecular biology at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin.

Dr Yahaya Coulibaly

ORCID–WACA Ambassador, Republic of Mali

Mali

Dr Yahaya Coulibaly earned his PhD in Computer Science in 2012, receiving the Best Student Award from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Dr Bernard Dione

ORCID–WACA Ambassador

Senegal

Dr Bernard Dione is a Senior Lecturer in Library and Information Science at the School of Library, Archives and Documentation at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal.

Ready to Join?

Become part of a growing community of researchers in West and Central Africa.

Join the Community of Practice