For Ikenna Ezealah WCL ’25, the call to shape Africa's future came during the quiet solitude of the Covid-19 quarantine. Immersing himself in the continent's history and contemporary challenges, he resolved to support the African people's development by dedicating his career to fostering economic growth, good governance, and institution-building across Africa. This commitment has taken him from drafting trade agreement guides to domestically and internationally engaging directly with policymakers at the highest levels, culminating in his participation in the prestigious Garvey-Nkrumah Fellowship.

When Ikenna Ezealah envisioned a career in African development, he started by mastering the foundations. Before beginning law school in 2022, he drafted a guidebook for practitioners on the African Union’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), laying the groundwork for his aspirations as an international nation-building diplomat.

By Summer 2023, his efforts were already bearing fruit. During an internship at the United Nations International Trade Center in Geneva, Ezealah crafted a model legal framework for National Export Councils. This was followed by a Summer Diplomatic Program at the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, where he sharpened his skills in political and economic tradecraft. Building on these experiences, Ezealah set his sights on a fellowship that would further his goal of creating impactful solutions for Africa.

The Garvey-Nkrumah Fellowship (GNF), an initiative of the Garvey-Nkrumah Development Incubator (GNDI), provided precisely that opportunity. The program equips aspiring legal professionals of African descent with expertise in international trade, public policy, and conflict resolution. For Ezealah, the fellowship represented a critical step in his journey to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s growth.

“The GNF was a perfect fit for the next step of my training in nation-building. I recall sharing the news with my mentor Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze, former president of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development, whose guidance has been instrumental in my developing international relations career.” 

The Fellowship Experience
The GNF program unfolded in three phases.

1.  Legal Boot Camp: A weeklong intensive training brought together global legal and policy experts, including Dr. Joy Kategekwa from the African Development Bank and Dr. Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist at UNDP.

2.  Field Placement: Ezealah worked with an international arbitration and international law firm Three Crowns LLP, where, where he contributed to a book chapter on policing corruption in international arbitration.

3.  Policy & Diplomacy Delegation: Traveling to Ghana and Rwanda, Ezealah and his cohort engaged with leaders, including Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to explore strategies for diaspora-driven development.

One of the most poignant moments for Ezealah was visiting the Jubilee House in Accra, Ghana. “Standing in the halls where Kwame Nkrumah once led, I felt deeply connected to Africa’s legacy and future,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The fellowship honed Ezealah’s skills in alternative dispute resolution, international trade negotiations, and integrated Pan-African development. Armed with this knowledge, he remains steadfast in his mission to support the AfCFTA and foster transformative progress across the continent.

“I thank God for His guidance in preparing me as an instrument of service,” he said. “I also express my sincere appreciation to Professor John Woods, the founder of the GNDI, and his team. What drives me is not personal success, but to achieve my life’s objective: to be a helper and guardian of the welfare and further development of the African People. Onward & Upward!” 

From drafting trade agreements to engaging with policymakers, Ezealah’s story is one of commitment and impact—an inspiration for aspiring leaders in Africa and beyond.