Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike is an esteemed academic, legal practitioner, and passionate human rights advocate with an impressive career dedicated to addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for the most vulnerable in society. Dr. Mike combines her legal expertise with her passion for empowering marginalized communities across the globe. Dr Mike’s work focuses on human rights law, gender equality, and legal and practical frameworks aimed at social justice. She is an Assistant Professor of Law at the American University of Nigeria, where she teaches and conducts research on critical issues intersecting law, gender, and human rights.
Dr. Mike’s academic credentials have equipped her for the activities she passionately engages in. She holds a PhD from the University of Exeter, UK, an LLM from London Metropolitan University, and a law degree from the University of Jos, equipping her with a deep understanding of legal principles across civil and common law systems. This robust academic foundation has not only enhanced her legal expertise but has also enabled her to teach and research law in diverse international contexts, including Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her legal education has fostered a unique ability to compare and contrast legal frameworks, especially between Nigerian, U.S., and U.K. systems, and to apply these insights to real-world challenges in the field of human rights.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Mike is a practicing attorney licensed to practice law in Nigeria, where she was called to the bar in 2009. She has extensive experience in providing legal representation and advice across various areas of law, including corporate/contract law, human rights law, and international business law. She has also owned and managed her own law firm, where she works as both a principal attorney and a consultant. Her entrepreneurial experience has allowed her to gain practical insights into the intersection of law, business, and ethics, which she integrates into her teaching and research.
Dr. Mike is a passionate advocate for social justice, particularly women’s rights, and has made significant contributions toward addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria. Her advocacy work includes providing pro bono legal services to survivors of GBV, offering legal advice, and advocating for stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect women and children. She has also worked with NGOs to provide rehabilitation services for survivors, ensuring they receive emotional and psychological support in addition to legal protection. Dr. Mike’s goal is not just to punish offenders but to prevent violence, educate communities, and offer survivors the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
Her international experience in legal consulting further supports her advocacy work, having collaborated with prestigious organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and GIZ/EU. These projects focus on gender-based violence, youth resilience, and social welfare policies, and have seen Dr. Mike play a central role in project management, data collection, and legal advocacy. These global engagements have enriched her understanding of legal practices in diverse cultural settings and have strengthened her ability to address complex human rights issues on a global scale.
Dr. Mike is not just a lawyer and educator; she is also an advocate for environmental justice. Her work extends to tackling global challenges like climate change, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering environmental stewardship. Dr. Mike believes that addressing the intersection of law and environmental issues is critical for safeguarding the future of our planet.
A committed professional and lifelong learner, Dr. Mike continues to engage in professional development activities, ensuring she stays current with global legal trends and practices. Her involvement in seminars, workshops, and international legal conferences allows her to offer a well-rounded perspective to her students, blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Through her academic and professional journey, Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike has emerged as a powerful voice for social justice, human rights, and gender equality. Whether through teaching, legal practice, or international consultancy, her work continues to inspire change, empower marginalized communities, and shape the future of legal and human rights advocacy worldwide.
Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike is not only an accomplished legal scholar and human rights advocate, but she is also deeply committed to promoting peace and resilience through innovative approaches, including the use of sports. Her multifaceted career reflects a strong belief in the transformative power of diverse tools and initiatives to address social injustices, conflict, and marginalization, with a particular focus on empowering vulnerable communities such as women, children, and those in conflict zones. Dr. Mike’s dedication to peacebuilding is evident in her involvement with international projects that utilize sport as a medium for promoting resilience and social cohesion, especially in areas affected by violence and instability. She has participated in various peacebuilding initiatives where sport has played a pivotal role in bringing communities together, providing youth with opportunities for personal development, and fostering a sense of shared purpose and unity.
One of the key aspects of Dr. Mike’s work in peacebuilding and resilience is her involvement with the Market Driven Youth Resilience Project (MDYRP), a collaborative initiative that seeks to empower youth in conflict-affected regions of Nigeria. This project, which was implemented by the Atiku Center for Development in partnership with GIZ/EU, focused on using sports and other community-driven activities to build resilience, provide economic opportunities, and reduce the potential for violence among youth. Dr. Mike’s role in the project included coordinating efforts in areas such as Mubi, Adamawa State, where she was instrumental in creating environments that fostered positive social interactions and community engagement through sporting events and programs. Sport, for Dr. Mike, serves as more than just a recreational activity; it is a strategic tool for promoting peace and social cohesion in fractured societies. She believes that sports can offer an avenue for healing and reconciliation in post-conflict settings by fostering cooperation, mutual respect, and shared experiences among individuals who may have previously been divided by ethnic, religious, or political differences. This approach is particularly valuable in countries like Nigeria, where ethnic and religious tensions often lead to conflict and social unrest. Through her initiatives, Dr. Mike contributes to redefining the role of sports in fostering both individual empowerment and community solidarity in conflict-affected regions.
In addition to her project coordination and advocacy efforts, Dr Mike has also been involved in organizing leadership training workshops and seminars for stakeholders in the GBV emergency/humanitarian sector, further underscoring her commitment to addressing GBV.
By combining her expertise in law, human rights, and gender advocacy with her passion for social justice, Dr Jennifer Heaven Mike continues to contribute significantly to global efforts in promoting peace and resilience, particularly through her activities and scholarly engagements. Her work demonstrates how legal scholars, educators, and advocates can draw upon a wide range of disciplines and strategies to create more peaceful, equitable, and resilient societies.