Advisory Work

Overview

My advisory work focuses on decisions where systems, partnerships, and delivery need to align.

I have contributed to work across health systems, digital platforms, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, particularly where scale, sustainability, and public-sector integration are central. These engagements focus on direction, governance, and alignment—clarifying priorities, managing risk, and structuring partnerships that hold over time.

My role sits upstream of execution: assessing feasibility, identifying trade-offs, and ensuring decisions are grounded in context and long-term outcomes.

Selected Work

I work across governments, funders, and operators to shape how priorities are defined, funded, and carried into execution.

Institutional Advisory

Advised on partnership and funding direction as institutions repositioned within a tightening and shifting global funding landscape
Shaped how capital and partnerships are structured, including diversification into private and non-traditional funding sources
Supported decisions on what to pursue, prioritise, and fund, including consortium strategy and proposal focus across multi-country portfolios
Led alignment across partnerships, programmes, and finance to strengthen execution, accountability, and delivery at scale
Shaped how convening and external engagement translate into real opportunities, not just visibility

Beyond Institutional Roles

Advised on growth, market entry, and investor access for health and digital ventures
Shaped strategic direction at board level for a digital innovation company
Supported financing and partnership decisions with global funders, including the Gates Foundation
Led significant funding mobilisation and partnership design for primary healthcare infrastructure
Supported infrastructure investment decisions for primary healthcare expansion across multiple facilities
Supported regulatory and executive decisions in telecoms and banking through high-level engagement

"Ota's ability to strategically build funding partnerships and cultivate meaningful relationships with donors is truly commendable. Her achievements, from revitalizing key international partnerships to securing substantial funding for critical missions, reflect her profound understanding of business strategy and financial acumen. Ota Akhigbe's leadership style is characterized by a rare combination of results-driven focus, strategic insight, and a genuine passion for impactful collaborations."

Osezoje B. Edoro Product Strategy Consultant

"Ota has a rare balance of intellect and intuition. She understands people, systems, and the subtleties of organisational politics in a way that makes her guidance both practical and transformative. Anyone who gets the opportunity to work with or be mentored by Ota will find themselves better — not just professionally, but personally."

Amarachi Mbagwu Strategic Communications Leader

The Engagement

How an engagement
works

Advisory engagements are non-operational and decision-level. I do not take on execution roles. What I provide is clarity — on direction, trade-offs, partnership structure, and governance, at the moments when those decisions shape long-term outcomes.

A retained advisory relationship typically involves four to six hours of structured engagement per month — a standing conversation, availability for time-sensitive decisions, and periodic written input on specific questions. Engagements are by retainer, with a minimum three-month commitment.