Meet the CSA Executive Committee
The current Executive Committee is made up of nine vibrant student leaders elected by national student organisations from across the Commonwealth’s 56 nation states. Led by the President, their role is to implement the organizational policies and priorities of the CSA, as well as steer the political directions of the organisation. The current administration is the fifth in succession, and it was elected in 2025 for a three-year term.
Francis Azubuike, AIoL
President
Bio
Francis Azubuike, AIoL, a 2024 Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholar and a Former Steering Committee Member of the Global Student Forum is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Students’ Association.
Renowned for his unwavering commitment to integrity in leadership, Francis exemplifies the principle that young leaders must hold themselves to the highest standards as custodians of societal transformation. A proud Nigerian, Francis is driven by a profound belief in democracy, transparency, and qualitative representation. He has championed student-led initiatives on both regional and global fronts. Notably, he played a key role in establishing the CSA Election Observer Group and chaired the inaugural election observation missions for the national elections of the National Union of Ghana Students and the National Association of Nigerian Students, both in 2023—ensuring integrity in student democratic processes and aligning closely with Commonwealth values that emphasize democracy, transparency, and the critical role of young people in governance.
He co-authored two landmark policy instruments within the Commonwealth education landscape and strongly advocated for the establishment of the Office for Special Interest Groups at the CSA Congress in 2024, a testament to his commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized and underrepresented groups across the Commonwealth.
From 2024–2025, Francis served as Youth Representative for the Unlock the Future Coalition at the United Nations Foundation, Washington DC, and was the GSF Representative for Anti-Racism in Education at ActionAid International. He is currently serving as the Head of Directorate for Diaspora and Foreign Affairs at the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Imo State) and the Permanent Representative of the CSA on the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) Support Group, held under the aegis of the Council for Education in the Commonwealth (CEC). In 2024, he was elected to the Steering Committee of the Global Student Forum—the foremost global coalition of representative and democratic student organizations.
In 2022, Francis was elected Africa Regional Representative on the CSA Executive Committee for the 2022–2025 term, where he represented the interests of students across 21 Commonwealth Africa member countries. In this capacity, he actively participated in high-level Commonwealth policy meetings, supported national student organizations, and championed the empowerment and visibility of student-led bodies throughout the Commonwealth. He received the CSA Chairperson’s Award of Distinction for his exemplary leadership in 2023.
His leadership presence spans over a dozen global forums and conferences, where he has delivered keynotes, moderated panels, and led delegations. In 2025, his team was awarded a €50,000 project grant by the AU-EU Youth Action Lab for youth development interventions in Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Belgium.
An alumnus and Associate Fellow of the Institute of Leadership, United Kingdom, Francis has remained deeply committed to community service and youth capacity-building. In 2023, he was appointed a Judge and Adjudication Panel Member for the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, and has served as an education volunteer under Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (2020–2022). Since 2022, he has also been annually invited by the Royal Commonwealth Society to serve as a Judge for the Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition (QCWC)—the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools—where he has assessed over 491 submissions from young people across the 56 Commonwealth nations.
Francis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, graduating in the top 5% of his class with Second Class (Hons.) Upper Division. During his undergraduate years, he received the International Union of Architects (UIA) Student Fellowship and served as the 35th President of the AAU-Architecture Students Association (AAU-ASA), following his tenure as the 34th Secretary-General. For his outstanding service and contributions, he was awarded the ASA Icon of the Year Award (2021/2022), the Distinguished Leadership Award (2021/2022), and the Meritorious Service Awards (2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions). He is a second-year Master of Architecture candidate at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.
As a young professional, Francis has since acquired three additional Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certifications from the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA). He is an Associate Member of Amnesty International and an International Member of the World Youth Alliance—a global platform committed to upholding human dignity from conception to natural death.
With over a decade of experience in student representation and public engagement, Francis Azubuike continues to inspire a new generation of changemakers. He embodies a new generation of architect-advocates—individuals who understand that design must be human-centered, policy must be principled, and leadership must be rooted in service. With feet in both the global north and south, and a mind wired for systems thinking, his life’s work is to reimagine not only the spaces we build, but the societies that we must collectively shape.
Princess Acolatse
Vice President (Communications and Research)
Bio
Princess Nana Ama Sarfoah Acolatse is a dynamic Ghanaian student leader currently pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). She serves as the Senator for the College of Art and Built Environment at KNUST and holds office as the General Secretary of the United Nations Students’ Association (UNSA-KNUST).
She has cultivated a strong portfolio of leadership and advocacy, having served as General Secretary of the Architecture Students’ Association of Ghana (ASAG-KNUST), Course Representative for the Master of Architecture program, and Deputy Publicity Head of ASAG. Her exemplary service and commitment to student advancement have earned her multiple Meritorious Service Awards.
Princess’s interests lie at the intersection of leadership, communication, and inclusive design. As a member of Youth for Human Rights International, she has championed initiatives that advance equity and human dignity. She also contributed to community resilience efforts by supporting the design of structures for flood-affected settlements in Ghana’s Volta Region. Her undergraduate research explored strategies for creating barrier-free construction environments, reflecting her commitment to accessibility and universal design.
Equipped with strong communication and research abilities, she is proficient in digital and design tools such as Microsoft Office, Photoshop and Canva. She is widely recognized for her capacity to engage meaningfully with people, meticulously document issues, and advocate persuasively across diverse platforms.
Her strategic priorities for the Commonwealth Students’ Association focus on establishing a digital CSA Students’ Hub to elevate student voices, producing monthly research briefs that showcase student-led solutions, facilitating cross-campus research partnerships, and delivering training programs in digital literacy and advocacy.
Guided by the belief that effective communication and research are catalysts for meaningful change, Princess is dedicated to building a more inclusive, engaged, and connected Commonwealth student community.
Shaikh Mahmud
Vice President (Democracy and Participation)
Bio
Shaikh Rifad Mahmud is a Bangladeshi youth leader, social reformer, student activist, and international advocate whose journey from hardship to global influence embodies resilience, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership. He currently serves as Vice President (Democracy & Participation) of the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA) and as a Youth Advisory Group Member at the United Nations in Bangladesh, championing student rights, youth empowerment, and social equity across borders.
Rifad’s leadership journey has been recognized internationally. In 2021, he was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize and honored with the Global Youth Leadership Award in Nepal, acknowledging his contribution to education, climate justice, and community reform. In 2023, he was invited to serve as a Judge for The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, the world’s oldest international youth writing contest.
Rifad’s international leadership spans multiple platforms. He has served as a Youth Panel Member for Global Youth Mobilization under the European Union Youth Empowerment Fund, Youth Observer to the World Food Forum, and Environmental Justice Advisory Board Member of the Global Student Forum, which represents over 202 student organizations across 135 countries. He has also worked as Chapter Leader for the Kids Rights Foundation and State of Youth, Board Member of Earth Advocacy Youth (Sweden), and Sub-board Member of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Health and Reproduction (USA). These roles reflect his growing influence in shaping global discourse on education, climate justice, and youth participation.
Behind his international profile lies a personal story of resilience. Born in Natore, Bangladesh, Rifad faced severe hardships when both of his parents respected educators were unjustly dismissed due to political retaliation. Struggling through years of financial instability, he walked kilometers to school, often without basic supplies, yet remained determined to continue his education. After a legal victory reinstated his father, Rifad pledged to dedicate his life to justice and community service.
That promise gave rise to the SRI Welfare Foundation, through which he has led educational support, climate action, and humanitarian relief campaigns. His leadership gained national recognition during Bangladesh’s Safe Roads Movement in 2018 and international acclaim in 2024, when he mobilized global solidarity for anti-discrimination student protests, endorsed by youth from 135 countries.
Alongside activism, Rifad is pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Engineering at Presidency University, Bangladesh, and contributes as a columnist for national newspapers on politics, education reform, and diplomacy.
From walking barefoot to school to raising his voice at global summits, Shaikh Rifad Mahmud has transformed adversity into action emerging as a changemaker committed to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Justice Alor
Vice President (Advocacy and Partnerships)
Bio
Justice Alor is a Ghanaian youth leader, democracy actor, policy enthusiast, political campaign strategist and partnership-builder whose guiding principle – “TOMORROW BEGINS TODAY!” – reflects his conviction that the future must be shaped now. He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and Study of Religions from the University of Ghana, where he rose from two-term Majority Leader (2022–2023) to Speaker (2023–2025) of the University of Ghana Parliament House.
In these roles he organised the House’s landmark 20th Anniversary celebrations hosting Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, championed constitutional and governance reforms, brokered a pioneering partnership with Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) and led bold petitions on student welfare, including fee reductions.
Beyond parliament, Justice has led several influential student and faith-based leadership platforms. He served as Deputy CEO of the PENSA Business and Political Chamber in 2022, became CEO of the Chamber in 2023, and is currently the Head of the PENSA Ghana Political Chamber (2025–2026), where he led and mobilised emerging Christian leaders in business, governance and political engagement. As a political campaign strategist, he has designed and executed student-focused and youth-driven advocacy campaigns that have shaped conversations on inclusion, access and welfare in Ghanaian tertiary institutions. He also contested as Vice-Presidential Candidate of the University of Ghana SRC (2023), later serving as Secretary to its Vetting Committee (2024), and coordinated civic campaigns as Student Coordinator of the Citizens’ Coalition of Ghana, University of Ghana Chapter by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) (2022–2023). Since June 2024, Justice has been Majority Leader of Ghana’s National Youth Mock Parliament, working closely with Parliament of Ghana and PNAfrica to advance youth policy inclusion. Alongside his student leadership he completed his National Service at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) (2024–2025), where he supported research on democratic resilience, coordinated youth engagement projects across West Africa, mobilised youth observers for Ghana’s 2024 elections with Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and assisted in organising the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Youth Town Hall Meeting.
Sanskriti Rawat
Special Interest Groups Representative
Bio
Sanskriti Singh Rawat is the elected Representative of Special Interest Groups in the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA). Her vision is to reduce inequality and alleviate poverty by integrating grassroots action with policy-level advocacy.
She is the Founder of SARTHI, an initiative through which university students volunteer to support visually impaired peers in their academics and daily activities. She also serves as Co-Convenor of Students for Service, a network of 300 volunteers that educates children in Delhi’s slums, raises awareness on menstrual hygiene, challenges social taboos, and supports women entrepreneurs by connecting them with business platforms.
She has contributed to the Beggar’s Corporation in New Delhi, where she conducted surveys with begging families and supported their rehabilitation into entrepreneurship. The initiative helped connect families with investors and enabled their transition into dignified livelihoods. Additionally, she is Co-Founder of the House of Liberty, a university-level forum dedicated to culture, language, literature, and history.
She is a recipient of the Gurukul Fellowship, through which she met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and engaged with Tibetan refugees, gaining deep insights into resilience, informal education, and cultural preservation in exile. She also holds the Aryajanani Scholarship awarded by Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, which strengthened her conviction in Swami Vivekananda’s Advaita philosophy.
Through these experiences, she works to integrate knowledge, service, and advocacy in advancing equity, dignity, and justice for students from marginalized backgrounds.
Ibrahim Abdullahi
Africa Regional Representative
Bio
Ibrahim Abdullahi is a dynamic youth leader and the current Africa Regional Representative of the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA) for the 2025–2028 mandate, representing the voices, aspirations, and challenges of students across 21 Commonwealth African countries. In this capacity, he works to strengthen student movements, advocate for inclusive education, and champion policies that empower young people as agents of change on the continent and beyond.
Ibrahim’s leadership journey has been shaped by diverse experiences within the student community. He previously served as the City Leader of the Nigerian Students Association in Agadir, Morocco, where he provided guidance, representation, and support for Nigerian students abroad. He later became a Member of the Administrative Council of the Nigerian Students Association in Morocco, representing the city of Agadir at the national level. These roles allowed him to cultivate a strong sense of responsibility, diplomacy, and service to others.
Beyond student representation, Ibrahim is also a trained nurse with a specialization in anesthesia, bringing to his leadership a unique background in healthcare and human development. His medical training has reinforced his belief in the importance of resilience, care, and service to humanity—values that he translates into his work as a youth advocate.
Passionate about youth empowerment, education, and student mobility, Ibrahim has consistently championed opportunities that allow young people to learn, lead, and thrive. His vision is to see an Africa where students are not only beneficiaries of education but also key contributors to shaping educational systems, leadership frameworks, and social development policies.
As a proud member of the Common Futures Conversations (CFC) network by Chatham House, Ibrahim contributes to bridging the gap between young people in Africa and Europe and global policymakers. Through this platform, he engages in high-level dialogues that amplify youth perspectives on governance, climate change, education, and inclusive development.
Ibrahim is deeply committed to building partnerships with governments, student organisations, and international bodies, with the conviction that sustainable development in Africa is only possible when the voices of its young people are heard, respected, and acted upon. He believes in the transformative power of collaboration and strives to create pathways that will enable students to access leadership opportunities, quality education, and platforms for meaningful participation in global conversations.
A strong believer in the motto “nothing for us without us,” Ibrahim continues to dedicate his life’s work to advancing the interests of students and young people—helping them to realize their potential, break barriers, and build a brighter future for the African continent within the global community.
Palakh Khanna
Asia Regional Representative
Bio
Palakh Khanna is a 22-year-old Youth Changemaker, 3x TEDx speaker and content creator from New Delhi, India. Recognized as one of Asia’s 100 Women Power Leaders for 2023, she is also BusinessWorld Wellbeing’s 30 Under 30 (2023).
An advocate for youth empowerment, leadership, and action, she has been featured twice on Times Square, New York. Palakh has also been featured amongst 75 women leaders in India in UN Women’s Coffee-table book. Palakh has spoken across 100+ stages and events, and utilises her voice through social media with a community of over 90,000+ followers
across platforms.
As a passionate youth changemaker, she runs a youth-led nonprofit that works on breaking the ice about everything important yet ignored with, for, and by young people. From conversations and initiatives around mental health, menstruation to gender equality, climate action, sustainability, and beyond, they work to create a safe, open space for young people
to break stigmas around important topics like these.
A former Regional Officer for Asia Pacific with SDSN Youth under the SDG Students Program, and a former Co-CP for the Women and Gender Working Group at YOUNGO, Palakh works at the intersection of various SDGs, youth empowerment and leadership, and impact.
Ashley Longford
Caribbean and Americas Regional Representative
Bio
Ashley Longford is a dynamic youth and student advocate from Belize, dedicated to advancing equity, education, and youth empowerment throughout the Caribbean. With a strong background in advocacy and leadership, Ashley has built her career around ensuring that young people have a voice in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives.
She previously served as President of the National Student Union of Belize (2022–2024), where she played a pivotal role in national education reform. During her tenure, she successfully advocated for the accreditation of universities and junior colleges in Belize, which led to the establishment of the National Accreditation Council. She also contributed to the development of Belize’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy, creating opportunities for students to thrive in a knowledge-driven economy.
Beyond student union leadership, Ashley continues to champion youth representation in broader civic spaces. She currently serves as the Youth Director of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, where she bridges the voices of workers and youth, pushing for fair labor practices, stronger protections for young workers, and greater inclusion of youth perspectives in trade union movements. Her work reflects her belief that young people must not only participate in but also influence the structures that shape national and regional development.
Ashley is also the Co-Founder of Rise Belize, a youth-led organization dedicated to civic engagement, social justice, and community empowerment.
Through Rise Belize, she has mobilized young people to become active citizens, advocate for climate action, and promote equality in education and governance. Passionate, strategic, and resilient, Ashley is committed to uniting student and youth movements across the Caribbean. Her vision is of a region where young people are organized under strong, independent bodies that work collectively to ensure students and youth have a permanent seat at the decision-making table.
Ibrahim’s leadership journey has been shaped by diverse experiences within the student community. He previously served as the City Leader of the Nigerian Students Association in Agadir, Morocco, where he provided guidance, representation, and support for Nigerian students abroad. He later became a Member of the Administrative Council of the Nigerian Students Association in Morocco, representing the city of Agadir at the national level. These roles allowed him to cultivate a strong sense of responsibility, diplomacy, and service to others.
Beyond student representation, Ibrahim is also a trained nurse with a specialization in anesthesia, bringing to his leadership a unique background in healthcare and human development. His medical training has reinforced his belief in the importance of resilience, care, and service to humanity—values that he translates into his work as a youth advocate.
Passionate about youth empowerment, education, and student mobility, Ibrahim has consistently championed opportunities that allow young people to learn, lead, and thrive. His vision is to see an Africa where students are not only beneficiaries of education but also key contributors to shaping educational systems, leadership frameworks, and social development policies.
As a proud member of the Common Futures Conversations (CFC) network by Chatham House, Ibrahim contributes to bridging the gap between young people in Africa and Europe and global policymakers. Through this platform, he engages in high-level dialogues that amplify youth perspectives on governance, climate change, education, and inclusive development.
Ibrahim is deeply committed to building partnerships with governments, student organisations, and international bodies, with the conviction that sustainable development in Africa is only possible when the voices of its young people are heard, respected, and acted upon. He believes in the transformative power of collaboration and strives to create pathways that will enable students to access leadership opportunities, quality education, and platforms for meaningful participation in global conversations.
A strong believer in the motto “nothing for us without us,” Ibrahim continues to dedicate his life’s work to advancing the interests of students and young people—helping them to realize their potential, break barriers, and build a brighter future for the African continent within the global community.
Bryan Pokiton
Pacific Regional Representative
Bio
Bryan Chan Pokiton is a passionate youth leader and advocate from Papua New Guinea, committed to advancing education, sustainable development, and youth empowerment across the Pacific and beyond. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Development Studies at IBS University, Bryan blends his academic foundation with extensive professional experience in corporate marketing, financial services, and community leadership.
He serves as the Pacific Regional Representative for the Commonwealth Students Association (CSA), amplifying the voices of students across the region and advocating for stronger policies and structures to support quality, equitable education. In addition, he represents Papua New Guinea as the Country Representative for the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Network (CYAN), working to foster youth participation in governance, development, and global dialogue.
Professionally, Bryan currently serves as the Helpdesk Team Leader for Client Support & Marketing at Ferguson Education & Migration Group. In this role, he oversees client engagement, supports students through their educational journey, and leads marketing strategies to promote global study opportunities. Previously, he has also excelled as a Trade Finance Executive at Euro Exim Bank and Corporate Marketing Officer at Jacks of PNG, where he developed expertise in trade finance compliance, business growth strategies, and digital marketing.
Deeply committed to grassroots impact, Bryan serves as President of Veadi Eregabe Association Inc. and volunteers as Program Lead with Visionary Tribe, a youth-driven initiative focused on integrating basic human rights into Papua New Guinea’s education system. Through Visionary Tribe, he works to raise awareness and foster understanding of human rights among students, creating a ripple effect that inspires systemic change and a more inclusive, rights-based approach to education.
His involvement as Country Director for Youth Affairs with the Global Environmental Network for Innovation & Intelligence, Global Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation, and Ambassador for the Youth Global Network underscores his global vision for youth leadership and collaboration.
With multiple certifications in financial awareness, strategic management, digital marketing, human resources, and banking, Bryan brings both technical expertise and a strong sense of purpose to his work. His vision is to create inclusive, sustainable pathways for young people to lead change in their communities, ensuring that youth voices are not only heard but actively shape the policies and structures that define their future.
She previously served as President of the National Student Union of Belize (2022–2024), where she played a pivotal role in national education reform. During her tenure, she successfully advocated for the accreditation of universities and junior colleges in Belize, which led to the establishment of the National Accreditation Council. She also contributed to the development of Belize’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy, creating opportunities for students to thrive in a knowledge-driven economy.
Beyond student union leadership, Ashley continues to champion youth representation in broader civic spaces. She currently serves as the Youth Director of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, where she bridges the voices of workers and youth, pushing for fair labor practices, stronger protections for young workers, and greater inclusion of youth perspectives in trade union movements. Her work reflects her belief that young people must not only participate in but also influence the structures that shape national and regional development.
Ashley is also the Co-Founder of Rise Belize, a youth-led organization dedicated to civic engagement, social justice, and community empowerment.
Through Rise Belize, she has mobilized young people to become active citizens, advocate for climate action, and promote equality in education and governance. Passionate, strategic, and resilient, Ashley is committed to uniting student and youth movements across the Caribbean. Her vision is of a region where young people are organized under strong, independent bodies that work collectively to ensure students and youth have a permanent seat at the decision-making table.
Ibrahim’s leadership journey has been shaped by diverse experiences within the student community. He previously served as the City Leader of the Nigerian Students Association in Agadir, Morocco, where he provided guidance, representation, and support for Nigerian students abroad. He later became a Member of the Administrative Council of the Nigerian Students Association in Morocco, representing the city of Agadir at the national level. These roles allowed him to cultivate a strong sense of responsibility, diplomacy, and service to others.
Beyond student representation, Ibrahim is also a trained nurse with a specialization in anesthesia, bringing to his leadership a unique background in healthcare and human development. His medical training has reinforced his belief in the importance of resilience, care, and service to humanity—values that he translates into his work as a youth advocate.
Passionate about youth empowerment, education, and student mobility, Ibrahim has consistently championed opportunities that allow young people to learn, lead, and thrive. His vision is to see an Africa where students are not only beneficiaries of education but also key contributors to shaping educational systems, leadership frameworks, and social development policies.
As a proud member of the Common Futures Conversations (CFC) network by Chatham House, Ibrahim contributes to bridging the gap between young people in Africa and Europe and global policymakers. Through this platform, he engages in high-level dialogues that amplify youth perspectives on governance, climate change, education, and inclusive development.
Ibrahim is deeply committed to building partnerships with governments, student organisations, and international bodies, with the conviction that sustainable development in Africa is only possible when the voices of its young people are heard, respected, and acted upon. He believes in the transformative power of collaboration and strives to create pathways that will enable students to access leadership opportunities, quality education, and platforms for meaningful participation in global conversations.
A strong believer in the motto “nothing for us without us,” Ibrahim continues to dedicate his life’s work to advancing the interests of students and young people—helping them to realize their potential, break barriers, and build a brighter future for the African continent within the global community.