Michael O’Brien-Onyeka is the Senior Vice President for the Africa Field Division (AfFD) at Conservation International (CI).

Michael joined CI in November 2015, after over twenty years of leadership experience in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with global environmental, human rights, and development organizations, including Greenpeace in sub-Saharan Africa; Amnesty International in West Africa and in Europe; The African Child Policy Forum in Ethiopia; The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Iraq, and Oxfam GB in the East, Horn and Central Africa regions.

A Pan-Africanist and an authority on Pan-African issues, Michael has a track record of success in developing strategic initiatives, fostering high-level partnerships, managing ground-breaking programmes, and building strong, effective teams.  He has been on Tedx Talk and is regularly invited to provide keynote addresses on economic, environmental, and social justice issues across Africa.

Michael holds dual British and Nigerian citizenship and has a degree in Sociology, and a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy.

He enjoys swimming, reading, flying (he is taking lessons for his Private Pilot Licence), and scuba-diving (he is a PADI certified Open Water Diver). He also indulges in Taekwondo – a Korean Martial Art.