Meet the Chevening alumna strengthening democratic institutions from the inside out

When Elizabeth Pam was awarded a Chevening Scholarship in 2016, she was excited not just to complete her master’s in the UK, but to follow in the footsteps of her father.

Years earlier, Elizabeth’s father had studied in London with the support of Chevening.

‘He often shared inspiring stories about his experience, and his journey left a lasting impression on me,’ she recalls.

‘When I received the Chevening award, we became the first father-daughter duo to receive the scholarship… something I’m incredibly proud of.’

Knowing only too well how transformative the Chevening experience could be, Elizabeth chose to pursue a master’s in crime science, investigation, and intelligence at the University of Portsmouth, because she wanted to help strengthen democratic institutions from the inside out.

Fast forward nine years, and she’s now making that dream a reality, working at the intersection of politics and governance back home in Nigeria.

‘Chevening was a defining moment in my personal and professional journey. It not only gave me a world-class education but also connected me to a global network of changemakers.’

Having the opportunity to get to know fellow Chevening scholars from all over the globe sharpened Elizabeth’s thinking and expanded her world view.

‘It gave me the tools to engage meaningfully with complex governance challenges back home,’ she adds.

Studying in the UK also pushed her to grow in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

‘I vividly remember sitting in my studio flat on the 14th floor of Trafalgar Hall, crying while writing a paper,’ Elizabeth explains. ‘It was one of the most challenging academic experiences I’ve had but it also pushed me to think critically, dig deeper, and step far outside my comfort zone. That module taught me not just the content, but also tenacity, perseverance, and the value of intellectual resilience.’

This resilience is something Elizabeth’s carried forward with her throughout her career.

Since returning to Nigeria, Elizabeth has remained committed to solving issues related to fragmented development programming and limited access to opportunity, particularly for young people, women, and small businesses.

For example, in her time as Special Adviser to the Minister of Tourism, she helped local communities build sustainable tourism enterprises by launching the Ecogenesis Incubator Series. The initiative focused not just on building sustainable tourism enterprises but also on empowering local communities through culture, creativity, and eco-innovation.

Later, as Special Adviser on Workforce Innovation and Global Partnerships to the Minister of Labour and Employment, she led the funding strategy for the Labour Employment and Empowerment Program (LEEP), working hard to unlock capital for small businesses and create new jobs.

In her current position as Executive Director for Strategic Investments and Global Partnerships at the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Elizabeth is tackling a larger national challenge. She’s now aligning Nigeria’s investment potential with global capital, all while building strategic alliances that translate growth priorities into real, fundable outcomes.

‘These efforts build on the values Chevening instilled in me: leadership, global thinking, and a commitment to the public good.’

Looking ahead, Elizabeth’s ambitions are firmly rooted in public service.

‘My long-term vision is to climb the political ladder with integrity, competence, and a deep commitment to public service.’

Elizabeth wants to be part of a new generation of Nigerian leaders ‘who engage with politics the right way: through transparency, inclusion, and evidence-based policymaking’.

She is also determined to ‘mentor young leaders, champion gender equity, and build bridges between government, civil society, and international partners’.

‘My goal is not just to rise but to pull others up with me and leave behind systems that are stronger, more just, and more people-centered.’

Elizabeth’s Chevening journey began because she was inspired by her father’s stories of a life-changing scholarship experience in the UK.

Now, her own story is inspiring the next generation; a reminder of what can happen when an opportunity is used not just to open a door, but to keep it open for others.

Where could a Chevening Scholarship take you?