Team Details

Ozo Osahon Michael, popularly known as Mr. Morrison, is one of Nigeria’s most dedicated and visionary sexual minority groups, women’s rights advocates, and sexual health champions whose tireless work continues to shape the landscape of human rights advocacy in Nigeria. Over the past decade, he has become a formidable voice for inclusion, equality, and access to healthcare, working at the intersection of social justice, gender equity, and public health.

Michael holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Biochemistry from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, where his academic curiosity and empathy for others first intersected. His background in the biological sciences deepened his understanding of public health issues, disease prevention, and the social determinants of health. This foundation later became instrumental in his transition into the development and advocacy space—where he has spent over six years volunteering and interning with prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across Nigeria.

Throughout his career, Michael has acquired significant experience in Health and Rights Advocacy, Peer Outreach Work, Mobile HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), and Home-Based Care Services, working closely with organizations such as The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs), Centre for the Right to Health (CRH), Population Council (PC), and Queer Alliance Nigeria (QA). His dedication, compassion, and commitment to social impact have allowed him to rise through the ranks of grassroots mobilization to become an influential advocate, community organizer, and leader within Nigeria’s human rights ecosystem.

Michael’s passion stems from witnessing firsthand the discrimination, stigma, and structural marginalization faced by sexual minorities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria. These experiences fueled his determination to challenge injustices, create safe spaces, and advocate for systemic reforms that protect and empower individuals irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or health status. His mission has always been to ensure that every person—especially those most at risk—has access to quality healthcare, justice, and dignity.

Over the years, Michael has proven himself to be a strategic community mobilizer and policy influencer. He served as a Peer Educator under the Global Fund Project for Most-at-Risk Men, where he provided education, support, and linkage to healthcare services for key populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. His leadership, empathy, and communication skills allowed him to bridge the gap between community members and healthcare providers, ensuring that interventions were both inclusive and culturally sensitive.

Building on this foundation, Michael later served as a Community Mobilizer and Key Opinion Leader Consultant with the Department of Defence-funded Walter Reed Research Project for Most-at-Risk Men, implemented under the Population Council (PC) in Lagos, Nigeria. In this role, he played a vital part in advancing HIV prevention and treatment programs by coordinating outreach, facilitating access to mobile health services, and ensuring that interventions were grounded in community realities. His work strengthened trust between key populations and research institutions, leading to improved health outcomes and more effective service delivery.

Through these experiences, Michael developed an innovative community-based model for mobile health service delivery. This approach allowed healthcare professionals and advocates to reach individuals in underserved or marginalized areas, ensuring access to testing, counseling, and treatment without fear of discrimination. He has since used this model to guide the mission of his own organization, integrating it into broader advocacy strategies focused on health, rights, and community inclusion.

Michael’s dedication and innovation have not gone unnoticed. His commitment to advancing human rights and social justice earned him international recognition as the Winner of the Raffaele Masto Award (African Best Activist) – 2nd Edition, held in Milan, Italy. This prestigious award celebrated his unwavering courage, leadership, and impact in promoting equality and defending human rights in one of the world’s most challenging advocacy environments. His recognition on this international platform further amplifies Nigeria’s voice within the global sexual minority groups and human rights movements, showcasing the power of resilience, integrity, and visionary leadership.

In addition to his individual advocacy, Michael has also demonstrated exceptional leadership within collective movements. He served as the Interim National Coordinator of NERCI (Network of Rights and Community Inclusion Ltd/Gte), a coalition dedicated to promoting social justice, protecting human rights, and fostering inclusion for marginalized populations across Nigeria. Under his leadership, NERCI strengthened its visibility and built collaborative partnerships with organizations, activists, and policymakers committed to advancing equality and justice.

Michael’s leadership journey reached another significant milestone when he became the Executive Director and Founder of the Mobile Foundation for Health Security and Rehabilitation (MHSR), an organization that integrates health promotion, social inclusion, and rights-based advocacy. Under his leadership, MHSR has grown into a dynamic force that provides essential health services, promotes mental and sexual health, and advocates for the rights and protection of vulnerable groups, including sexual minority persons, women, and young people.

MHSR’s work under Michael’s direction emphasizes a community-based and intersectional approach—recognizing that health, gender, and rights are deeply interconnected. Through programs that address health disparities, combat gender-based violence, and promote social inclusion, MHSR has made tangible impacts in improving community well-being and resilience. The organization has also become a platform for empowering young advocates and equipping them with the tools and skills to engage meaningfully in advocacy and leadership.

Michael’s approach to leadership is deeply collaborative and grounded in empathy. He believes that effective advocacy requires not only passion but also structure, accountability, and partnership. His work reflects a balance between activism and organizational management—merging grassroots mobilization with strategic advocacy, data-driven programming, and policy engagement.

As a feminist and women’s rights advocate, Michael continues to challenge patriarchal norms and gender inequalities that limit women’s agency and opportunities. His work supports initiatives that amplify women’s voices, promote reproductive rights, and ensure gender-responsive governance. He actively engages in mentorship and capacity development programs that encourage young women and queer persons to take up leadership roles within their communities.

Through his involvement in national and international networks, Michael has continued to advocate for the recognition of SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) rights as an integral part of human rights. He believes that social change is possible when advocacy is intersectional, inclusive, and rooted in community realities. His commitment to evidence-based advocacy and participatory approaches ensures that the people most affected by discrimination are at the center of the solutions.

Michael’s vision extends beyond activism—he is driven by the desire to build sustainable structures that outlive individuals and contribute to a just and inclusive society. His work embodies a clear philosophy: that equality, dignity, and health are not privileges but rights owed to every human being.

Today, as a recognized leader and mentor, Michael continues to inspire a new generation of activists and advocates who see in him the embodiment of resilience, courage, and hope. His life and career serve as a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose, and when one chooses to stand on the side of justice despite adversity.

With over Ten years of hands-on experience, academic excellence, and visionary leadership, Ozo Osahon Michael (Mr. Morrison) remains a transformative figure in Nigeria’s social justice movement. His journey reflects the power of one individual to challenge systems, uplift communities, and ignite meaningful change across borders.