Development and Leadership Institute (DLI) Nigeria is led by a team of seasoned professionals drawn from the academia, public service institutions, the organized private sector and the legal profession. Each of these members has proven career records that justify their selection as members of the Board of Directors. Aside from their antecedents in their careers, they also have strong passion for development. This last quality underscores their justification for being on the board.

Prof. Duro is the Chairman of the Board of the Institute.  Duro Oni is a Professor of creative Arts in the University of Lagos.  Prof. Oni who obtained his PhD from University of Ibadan, is endowed with special talent to nurture and transform organizations.  He established the Centre for Cultural Studies in University of Lagos, Nigeria and Transformed the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) to a premier continental institution during his period as Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Government of Nigeria owned institution.
Dakuku Peterside, the founding President of the Organization holds an MBA degree from Nigeria’s Premier University of Science and Technology (RSUST).  He was a former public servant at various times in the Local Government, State and Federal levels in Nigeria.  He previously consulted for a number of bluechip companies as team leader in PENHALL Management Consulting in the area of leadership, strategy and organizational politics.
Dr. Lucky Eleanya has a first degree in Political Science from University of Port Harcourt and a Doctorate degree from North Carolina State University in the United States.  He had previously taught in a number of Institutions in Nigeria before being engaged as Associate Director (Research, training and consultancy) in DLI.  His key interest is research that furthers development.
Others are;

 

• Chief Nemi Adoki                      - Vice Chairman
• Wanimi Princewill Mrs.
• Dagogo Dinney
• Bibi Farouk
• Barr. Victor Graham Douglas
• Barr. Lyna Okara (Mrs.)
• Adindu Steve Ogamba
• Sir. Godfery Ohuabunwa

Chidinma Amaka Nkwocha is a graduate of sociology with a Masters in the same field from the University Port Harcourt. Her work experience spans over 10 years in various capacities as safety Assistant/ Trainer, Admin Officer/Operations Coordinator, HR/Business Development Manager and Head Business Development and Program. These skills have prepared her to hold the position of Ag Executive Director/ Associate Director Programs at DLI. She has worked previously at Dresser Kellogg Energy Services, EPNL amongst others.
She is a member of some professional bodies like Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, SPSP, NNWES, and PHCCIMA. She has attended workshops and conferences including Nigerian National Information Management Systems (NNIMS) training workshop, IMA Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation to mention but a few. She has been involved in many projects and has personally facilitated many including the Socio-economic/Health impact Assessment (SIA) of six communities in the OML-58 projects in EPNL. She is also an international Resource Person on non-violence transformation for FEHN.
Nyema Onunwor hails from Obio-Akpor LGA of Rivers State. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Chemistry from the University of Port Harcourt. Nyema has a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship which he has gathered from several years of employment/consulting, trainings/workshops, and managing of personal businesses. He has been involved in several sustainable community development projects in Rivers State funded by SPDC and Total/EPNL.
Nyema is a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration.
At the moment, he is the Associate Director, Research and consultancy at DLI. He will bring this wealth of experience to bear on this program.
Cosmos A. Dinee holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Accounting from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt and a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Development Economics from the University of Port Harcourt. A seasoned development practitioner, with specialization in Microfinance, Entrepreneurial development, business training and business advisory services. Cosmos hails from Khana LGA of Rivers State.