Dr Zainab MarwaEsq.

Legal Practitioner & Governance and Policy Strategist Gender & Development Specialist Founder & President, Aspire Women Forum Member, NDDC Governing Board, representing the North-East Geopolitical Zone

A Nigerian Barrister, service management expert and gender specialist, working where law, governance and women's advancement meet.

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About

Dr Zainab Marwa is a Barrister, management consultant and gender specialist with over two decades of post-call experience. Her career spans legal practice, public service reform, policy development and organisational transformation, with a consistent focus on strengthening institutions so that they serve people well.

She is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Transformation Strategist of Zawram Consulting Limited and a Partner at Arinze Mba & Associates (Deiz Attorneys). She previously served as Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory on Community Relations, and earlier with SERVICOM, the Federal Government's service delivery initiative.

A native of Michika, Adamawa State, she was confirmed by the Senate in July 2026 as a Member of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), representing the North-East geopolitical zone. She is Founder and President of the Aspire Women Forum and author of 101 Nigerian Women of Impact.

"Strategic thinker, results-driven change maker and visionary leader, propelled by a passion for transformative impact and positive social change for individuals, organisations and communities."

Areas of expertise

Governance & institutional reform

Strengthening the structures, accountability and capacity of public institutions.

Gender & development

Integrating gender equity into development planning and practice.

Poverty & social inclusion

Designing interventions that reach the people most often left behind.

Policy & strategy execution

Closing the gap between policy on paper and results on the ground.

Service delivery & change management

Improving how organisations serve citizens and clients, drawing on her SERVICOM experience.

Women's advancement

Expanding women's leadership, political participation and economic opportunity.

Career

2026 – present
Member, Governing Board
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-East Zone
2023 – present
CEO & Chief Transformation Strategist
Zawram Consulting Limited
A consultancy applying research-backed expertise in service management, policy development and gender studies to help organisations, governments and communities improve governance, reduce poverty and deliver better services.
2023 – present
Partner
Arinze Mba & Associates (Deiz Attorneys), Wuse II, Abuja
General legal practice and court representation, and leadership of the firm's operations, strategy and legal team.
2021 – 2023
Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of the FCT on Community Relations
Federal Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory
Built community partnerships across the FCT's area councils, shaped policy in the public interest, and led outreach, events and stakeholder engagement for the Ministry.
2006 – 2007
Special Assistant to the National Coordinator/CEO
SERVICOM Office
Headed the Complaints Department, designed complaints procedures for Ministerial SERVICOM Units, evaluated ministries and agencies against the SERVICOM Index, and trained officials of NIPOST, the Nigeria Immigration Service, DPR, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Cross River State civil service and others on service improvement.
2002 – 2004
Early career
Phillips Consulting Nigeria Limited (Human Resources) and Albarka Air Plc
Redesigned recruitment and selection processes for client firms, and gained operational experience across an airline's departments.

Research & publications

Impact of Anti-Poverty Programmes on the Feminisation of Poverty among Women in North Central Nigeria

Doctoral thesis, PhD in Gender Studies, Nasarawa State University (2024)

Poverty in Nigeria does not affect men and women equally. Examining the first 16 years of Nigeria's democracy (1999–2015), Dr Marwa's research assesses how effectively anti-poverty programmes addressed the gendered dimensions of poverty, identifies the factors driving the feminisation of poverty, and offers practical recommendations for more inclusive, gender-sensitive poverty reduction.

She has also delivered a Distinguished Public Lecture, Addressing the Intersectionality of Poverty and Gender in North Central Nigeria, at the Federal University Lokoja.

Dr Zainab Marwa presenting her book, 101 Nigerian Women of Impact — Presenting *101 Nigerian Women of Impact* during an official courtesy visit

101 Nigerian Women of ImpactDocuments the achievements of Nigerian women who have excelled across diverse careers, to inspire more women to pursue their aspirations. Published by AMAB Books in association with the Aspire Women Forum; unveiled at the Nigeria House, New York (March 2023) and at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja (May 2023).
The Happiness ToolkitA guide to financial, emotional and spiritual wellbeing for women.

Current public role

Member, Governing Board
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

Representing the North-East Geopolitical Zone

Nominated by the President pursuant to Section 2(2) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Act, and confirmed by the Senate on 8 July 2026 following an open legislative screening of competence, integrity and experience.

Public service & political engagement

Dr Marwa has been active in Nigeria's political and civic life for over a decade, with a particular commitment to the participation of women and young people in politics and governance.

Dr Zainab Marwa at a legislative engagement — At a legislative engagement

Dr Zainab Marwa during an official courtesy visit — Official courtesy visit

2023 general elections and inauguration

Member, 2023 Presidential Inauguration Committee, in charge of the Pre-Inauguration Dinner, Gala Night and Post-Inaugural Luncheon
Deputy National Spokesperson, Youth Directorate of the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council
Member, Protocol and Events Committee of the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council
Member, Strategy Committee of the 2023 Independent Campaign Council
Member, Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council's Women Wing
Member, Advisory Committee of the 2023 APC Youth Directorate
Deputy Director (Legal), APC FCT 2023 Campaign Council

Party leadership and committees

National Woman Leader, APC Aspirants Forum
National Coordinator, APC Female Aspirants Forum
Secretary, APC North Central Supervisory Committee on Revalidation and Registration
Member, APC Aspirants Committee on Constitutional Review
Member, APC Digital Transformation Committee, representing the North-East
Member, National APC Election Committee for the FCT Area Council Elections
Aspirant, House of Representatives, AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency

2019 general elections

Member, 2019 Women and Youth Presidential Campaign
Director of Welfare, 2019 APC FCT Campaign Council

Public service assignments

Member, Presidential Visitation Panel to the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State

Development advocacy

Founder & President, 2020 – present

Aspire Women Forum

A non-profit helping women reach their full potential through motivational behavioural coaching, self-actualisation initiatives and purpose-driven programmes, building a supportive community where women thrive.

Follow @aspirewomenforum on Instagram

Co-Founder & Trustee, 2018 – present

The Beehive Initiative

A non-profit building a network of competent, politically engaged women, promoting political awareness, participation and representation for gender balance, alongside community outreach.

Founder & President, since 2006

Zawram Islamic Global Foundation

Promotes education, community development and peaceful coexistence, with outreach to widows, orphans and less privileged households, renovation of children's homes, and women's clusters across the FCT and Nasarawa State.

International engagement

United Nations, New YorkGlobal unveiling of 101 Nigerian Women of Impact, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN on International Women's Day, 8 March 2023, during the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67)
ECOWAS ParliamentAddressed the Parliament on women and youth inclusion in politics and entrepreneurship, 2022
CEDAWEngagement on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
West African Youth AssemblyBoard Member, Nigerian Chapter

Education & memberships

PhD, Gender Studies (2024)Nasarawa State University
BL, Barrister-at-Law (2004)Nigerian Law School, Lagos
MSc, Service Management (2002)University of Buckingham, United Kingdom
LLB (Hons) Law (2000)University of Buckingham, United Kingdom
Evidence in Policy (2025)Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
Strategy Execution (2022)Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University

Professional memberships and boards

Member, Nigerian Bar Association
Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered)
Board Member, Institute of Gender Studies, Federal University Lokoja
Mentor, YIAGA Africa

Languages: English and Hausa

Media & speaking

Dr Zainab Marwa speaking at a public forum — Speaking at a public forum

Dr Zainab Marwa speaking at a podium — Speaking engagement

Dr Zainab Marwa at a public event — At a public event

Dr Zainab Marwa at a public engagement — Public engagement

Dr Zainab Marwa engaging with participants at an event — Engaging with participants

Dr Marwa speaks on governance, gender and development, poverty reduction, service delivery and women's leadership at conferences, public forums and in the media. For speaking invitations, interviews or panel requests, please use the contact details below.

In the news

Contact

For professional enquiries, speaking invitations and collaboration.

Email: zainabmarwa2005@yahoo.com
Telephone: +234 803 403 2727
+234 904 979 5576
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Professional profile

A two-page summary of Dr Marwa's background, roles and expertise.

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Instagram: @zainabmarwa1
Aspire Women Forum: @aspirewomenforum