Olawale Samuel
Professional Areas of
Expertise
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Education systems
transformation
Advocacy, networking,
and coalition building.
Inclusive education
and lifelong learning
Project Monitoring and
Evaluation
Partner Selection and
Contracting
Education Consulting
Business Development
Summary
Versatile Education Subject Matter Expert with 20 + years’ experience in the education
development sector, providing strategic advice and guidance to public sector, private sector
and international development partners; guiding them in leveraging available resources
towards the attainment of the education related SDGs. I was also a member of the Nigerian
Presidential Committee on the attainment of the MDGs in Nigeria. Leveraging my vast
experience and network in USAID, I provide expert research and analysis to help partner
countries make evidence-based program decisions to achieve development objectives.
As the Coordinator, USAID Learning Networks under the EDC implemented Leading Through
Learning Global Platform, my work spans multiple countries within Africa, shaping
development approaches in local contexts and creating enabling factors to attract
international development and government funding.
I have a demonstrable track record in the formulation of strategies and creative problemsolving skills to deliver unique value propositions to target audiences.
Skills
Relevant Professional Experience
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Coordinator, USAID Learning Networks in Africa. USAID Leading Through Learning
Global Platform (LTLGP)
Strong leadership
Negotiation
Communication
Problem solving
Creativity
Stakeholder
management
Education
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Master of Arts: Public
Policy and
Management, Jan
2013; University of
York, England.
Bachelor of Science:
International Studies,
August 1990; Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria,
Nigeria.
High School Diploma:
Jan 1987;
College of Advanced
Studies, Zaria, Nigeria.
2022 to 2024.
Leadership and coordination of the USAID Learning Network Chapters in Africa comprising
Education in Conflict and Crisis, Higher Education and Global Reading Network. I had a
unique opportunity to represent African regional stakeholder interests, influence regional
government education policies through a partnership with the Association for the
Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). The USAID Learning Network Chapters in Africa
served as a bi-directional gateway for evidence and knowledge products between the Global
North and the Majority World in the Global South. The Networks prioritized Africa’s evidence
educational interest and priorities especially as Africa interfaces with the rest of the world.
Key functions include:
• Lead, in collaboration with ADEA, the vision and operations of the LTLGP in the Africa
region, and its three Global Learning Networks on Higher Education, Global Reading
Network, and Education in Crisis and Conflict.
• Recruit and engage Africa Regional Hub membership and leadership roles -- especially
from under-represented groups such as people with disabilities, other language groups,
and women.
• Collaborate with USAID, ADEA, and Regional Hub Members on efforts to complement,
support, enhance, and extend the work already being done by USAID Missions in Africa
and local education groups comprising the Civil Society and Government in respective
African countries.
• Work with the Steering Group committee to boost knowledge mobilization activities
and research uptake from across Learning and Knowledge Management Hub in Africa.
• Represent the interests of Members at regional summits such as the ADEA Triennale,
and international fora such as the CIES.
Key Achievements
o Pioneered the development of the Africa Hub Chapters around Global Reading,
Education in Conflict and Crisis, Higher Education, and Private Sector social
impact platform.
Awards
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Superior Honor Award,
US Mission Nigeria,
2019
Honor Award, US
Mission Nigeria, 2018
Contribution to Early
Childhood
Development, Federal
Ministry of Education,
2017
Excellent Award on
Good Leadership,
Youth Entrepreneurial
Development
International, 2012
Black Heritage Award
for the Nigerian Child,
2009
Winner,
Commonwealth
Scholarship
Commission, UK, 2008
Contact
Mobile: -
Email:-LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/wale-samuel-5a673119/
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Supported the regional drive to ensure African knowledge products have access
to international fora through the Africa Regional Hub and its Global Learning
Networks.
Steering Group member of 3 USAID Global Education Learning Networks: Global
Reading Network, Education in Conflict and Crisis Network, and the Higher
Education and Learning Network.
Education Program Manager
USAID Nigeria
2014 to 2022
Leadership and management of USAID Nigeria Education Program, advising on specific social,
political, or technical contexts that impact program implementation. Built relationships with
major strategic players in the Nigeria Education Sector such as Universal Basic Education
Commission (UBEC), Federal and State Ministries of Education, World Bank, DFID, UNICEF,
UNESCO, Civil Society Organizations, and the Private Sector. Main functions of the position
included:
• Identifying and driving responses to policy developments, legislative changes, and Education
sector updates.
• Planning, development, design, management, and evaluation of projects/programs
• Financial oversight of assignment implementation activities
• Analysis of funding requirements and budget and authorization and monitoring of
disbursements
• Leveraging technical expertise towards identifying cross-sectoral synergies
Key Achievements
o Led the Northern Education Initiative Plus initiative which resulted in enhanced and
tangible reading outcomes. This was recognized as an outstanding achievement by
the US Mission.
o Designed the USAID Education strategy for the U.S Mission’s Private Sector
engagement including the response to the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in
Nigeria.
o Pioneered the national drive to link Nigerian learning outcomes with global
standards. This effort cleared the path for Nigeria to compare reading progress of
Nigerian children with other countries, and against the benchmarks set by the
UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
o Co-led the design of USAID Education portfolio providing capacity building to states
to draw from the $600 million World Bank Basic Education Service Delivery for All
(BESDA) project.
Acting Deputy Director, Education Office
USAID Nigeria
2019
Provided expert input into the overall Education portfolio, as well as technical and analytical input
for all aspects of the Education program. Main functions of this position included:
• Participated/chaired Technical Evaluation Committees to assess potential initiatives and
services as part of the overall education portfolio.
• Contributed to the design of USAID Nigeria’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy
with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
• Established and negotiated sensitive high-level relationships with multi-donor stakeholder
coordination groups, multilateral and bilateral donors, and high net worth education
stakeholders for the implementation of USAID education programs.
• Supervisory, coaching, and mentoring responsibilities over junior and mid-level officers and
education specialists.
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Key Achievement
o Initiated and oversaw the implementation of a USAID MOU with the Bauchi state
government leading to the release of the sum of N160 million Naira to support
Bauchi’s counterpart funding as bench-marked in a basic education MOU.
Education Specialist, Global Partnership for Education
World Bank, Nigeria
2013 – 2014
Technical coordination for the application of the World Bank Global Partnership for
Education (GPE) Project in Nigeria. Key functions of the role were:
• Coordinated the development of States’ medium-term sector strategies.
• Oversaw the technical alignment of states’ strategy with the Federal grants application.
Key Achievement
o Provided technical coordination for the successful bid which resulted in a $100
million funding to strengthen basic education services in Nigeria.
Program Manager
OANDO Foundation
2013
Provided overall technical lead to Oando Foundation Corporate Social Responsibility strategy
of Oando PLC. Overall responsibility was focused on:
• Serving as Lead Advisor on the design of the OANDO CSR Flagship product, the Adopt-ASchool Initiative, focusing the provision of educational resources and scholarships in
OANDO focal communities.
Key Achievement
o Extended the Adopt-A-School initiative to 12 States and secured scholarships
for 12,000 students.
Program Manager/Policy Advisor
Civil Society Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA)
2005 - 2012
Overall technical coordination of Civil Society response to UNESCO’s Education For All (EFA)
goals in Nigeria. Key functions were:
• Provided Technical advice on the latest trend in education policies and services and
coordinated the 700+ membership of the coalition.
• Represented and advised the coalition on latest trends in education policy and led
engagements with Government at all levels for the attainment of EFA goals.
Key Achievement
o Secured the endorsement of top politicians and 6 million Nigerians to support
Nigeria’s EFA agenda which was subsequently presented to world leaders at the
UN General Assembly resulting in a multi-million dollar pledge to support
Nigeria’s quest for quality basic education.
o Played an integral role in the design of the Microsoft Live@EDU platform for
the National Union of Teachers. NUT has over a million active teachers as
members. The design offered NUT a set of value-added services to save on
costs, drive genuine software use, and provide a platform to train teachers that
are job market ready.
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