PROFESSOR
Nana M. Tanko
Ph.D. (Demography) | Scholar-Practitioner | Humanitarian Leader
Advancing Africa’s Transformation Through Research, Policy, and Humanitarian Action.
Three decades of progressive leadership in development governance, humanitarian response, and evidence-based policymaking across the African continent. Building bridges between rigorous scholarship and pragmatic field leadership to deliver measurable impact in complex development settings.
Years of Impact
African Countries
Major Executive Roles
Leading Regional Policy Transformation.
Chief Executive Officer, African Policy Research Institute (APRI)
Currently providing strategic direction for a regional think tank that promotes evidence-based policymaking and inclusive governance. Overseeing multidisciplinary research programs on governance, security, economic transformation, and social inclusion while leading policy dialogues with governments, the African Union, ECOWAS, and international partners to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making across the continent.
Currently providing strategic direction for a regional think tank that promotes evidence-based policymaking and inclusive governance. Overseeing multidisciplinary research programs on governance, security, economic transformation, and social inclusion while leading policy dialogues with governments, the African Union, ECOWAS, and international partners to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making across the continent.
Areas of Expertise.
Humanitarian
Response &
Recovery
Large-scale post-conflict programming, peacebuilding initiatives, and multi-sectoral interventions in fragile states.
Development
Policy &
Governance
Strategic frameworks for institutional reform, democratic governance, and evidence-based policymaking across African contexts.
Demography
& Population
Policy
Applied population research, reproductive health systems, and demographic analysis informing national development strategies.
Gender
Equality &
Social Inclusion
Mainstreaming gender perspectives in policy design, women’s empowerment programs, and addressing harmful traditional practices.