MICHAEL IVENSO
Michael is an experienced manager with extensive private, public sector and international development experience in Nigeria and overseas. He leads Anambra State’s aggressive effort at landscape restoration and reforestation, bringing relief to many at-risk communities, previously ravaged by gully erosion, in a relatively short period.
Michael is strong advocate for Climate Change Action, credited with championing several executive and legislative actions on environmental reforms, culminating in the establishment of Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency in Anambra State. He is a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State on Environment and Climate Change. In this role, he serves as focal point for the state government’s interface with external donors and development partners, such as the World Bank, for matters concerning funding, technical assistance, institutional capacity building and etc.
Michael concurrently serves as the project coordinator for the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project that supports on-the-ground interventions to help reduce vulnerability to land degradation. NEWMAP is funded by the World Bank, Special Climate Change Fund and Global Environment Facility, with counterpart contributions from state and federal governments.
Michael earned a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria and certificate in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.