About CSAAE

The Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics

CSAAE envisions a better society where all can find support and encouragement to work hard, live in dignity and feel proud to belong. The Centre pursues its vision through three distinct but interconnected program areas.

A socioeconomic program that enables:

Entrepreneurship
Youth Empowerment
Women Empowerment
Quality Primary Education
Quality Primary Healthcare
Climate Change and Sustainable Environment

An advocacy program that advocates for:

Good governance
Rule of law
Human rights
Anticorruption

An ethics program that promotes:

Professional Ethics
Business ethics
Ethical Leadership

The founder, Dr. Godswill Agbagwa – priest, ethicist and development practitioner – grew up in Nigeria. His experience with poverty as a teenager led him to dedicate his priestly ministry to integral social and human development. In 2010, while studying abroad as a graduate student, he decided to establish CSAAE as a platform to advance integral social and human development in Africa and across the world. The five core values at the foundation of his work at CSAAE include: Punctuality, Integrity, Creativity, Accountability and Solidarity (PICAS)

CSAAE is a registered NGO in Nigeria; a 501(c3) nonprofit in the United Staes; an organisation in special consultative status with the United Nations’ ECOSOC and former representative of African civil societies at the World Bank and IMF civil societies working group. The Centre carries out its operations from its head office in Owerri, Nigeria, with technical support from its U.S. office in Maryland.

The History of CSAAE

Founder's Background

The founder, Dr. Godswill Agbagwa – priest, ethicist and development practitioner – grew up in Nigeria. His experience with poverty as a teenager led him to dedicate his priestly ministry to integral social and human development. In 2010, while studying abroad as a graduate student, he decided to establish CSAAE as a platform to advance integral social and human development in Africa and across the world. The five core values at the foundation of his work at CSAAE include: Punctuality, Integrity, Creativity, Accountability and Solidarity (PICAS)

Early Life and Dream for Nigeria

Struggles and Aspirations
Poverty set in quickly after his father's death, and young Uchenna and his siblings struggled to meet basic needs like food, medical care, and tuition. He dreamed of a better Nigeria, inspired by false promises from a corrupt military junta about a prosperous future. Despite the harsh reality, these dreams persisted.

Priestly Ministry and Shift to Social Development

Dedication to Social and Human Development
Ordained a priest in December 2003, Dr. Agbagwa's experiences with poverty led him to focus his ministry on social and human development. His passion intensified in 2008 while studying in the United States. Witnessing basic amenities in developed countries, he questioned why such necessities were luxuries in Nigeria, strengthening his commitment to addressing poverty and underdevelopment.

Establishment of CSAAE

Forming the Vision
As a graduate student, Dr. Agbagwa studied the root causes of poverty in Africa. He concluded that leadership failures, loss of social and moral sense, and lack of entrepreneurial spirit were key issues. He believed that empowering young people could transform Nigeria. Thus, he established CSAAE, focusing on the youth who make up 62% of Africa’s population.

CSAAE is a registered NGO in Nigeria; a 501(c3) nonprofit in the United Staes; an organization in special consultative status with the United Nations’ ECOSOC and former representative of African civil societies at the World Bank and IMF civil societies working group. The Centre carries out its operations from its head office in Owerri, Nigeria, with technical support from its U.S. office in Maryland.

Programs and Initial Impact

Launching CSAAE and Initial Programs
CSAAE was registered in Nigeria in 2010 and in the United States in 2013. Activities began in December 2013, inspired by his late mother's encouragement. The Centre started with the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), which evolved into the Effective Leaders Program (ELP), promoting effective leadership across various sectors.

Career Building and Entrepreneurship Program (CBEP) and SEACON
The Centre launched two additional programs: CBEP and SEACON. CBEP helps young people with education, enterprise launching, and job securing, while SEACON focuses on training youth to fight corruption and promote good governance.

Transition to GRAHP and Expanded Impact

Evolving Programs and Rebranding
Interest in SEACON led to its rebranding as the Youth Ethics and Anticorruption Program (YEAP), and eventually to the Good Governance, Rule of Law, Anticorruption, and Human Rights Program (GRAHP). This expanded the program's reach beyond youth to all citizens, maintaining a focus on governance, rule of law, anticorruption, and human rights.