Institute For Humanitarian Studies & Social Development

What Institute For Humanitarian Studies & Social Development does

The Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (IHSD) is a Nigeria-based non-profit organization founded in 2010–2011 and headquartered in Abuja, operating as a professional training and certification institute for Africa's humanitarian and non-profit sector. Its core offerings include the Proficiency Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Services and NGO Management (a 4-day intensive delivered in partnership with UNITAR), Advanced Professional Diplomas in Humanitarian Care-Giving and Social Welfarism and in UN Human Security/Conflict Resolution, specialized certificate courses in Monitoring & Evaluation and Grant Proposal Writing, and tiered Humanitarian Ambassador programs (Gold/Silver/Bronze). Certificates are positioned as globally recognized through the institute's UNITAR partnership and African Union ECOSOCC affiliation.

IHSD generates revenue primarily through course fees (N35,000–N60,000 for certificate courses; N150,000 for professional diplomas, approximately $40–$170 in USD terms), membership and certification fees, and bespoke in-house capacity-building contracts with Nigerian federal and state government agencies. Pricing follows a tiered model with discounts for members and fellows. Its go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven, leveraging NYSC orientation camps, African Union offices, and state government venues alongside Zoom/Google Meet-based virtual delivery. Recognition initiatives including the Pan-African Humanitarian Leadership Awards (TPAHLA) and the Humanitarian Merit Award (in conjunction with the Nigerian Presidency) function as both brand-building and ecosystem-anchoring vehicles.

The institute is led by Registrar Dr. Prince Francis Origa, who also serves as Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Humanitarian Affairs. The organization's strategic positioning rests on UNITAR endorsement, a leading role in Nigeria's 2020 National Policy on Inclusive Volunteerism, and a network of partnerships spanning federal agencies (NYSC, NAPTIP, NHRC, OSGF) and multiple state governments (Delta, Abia, Katsina). IHSD has conducted 14 annual public lecture and induction ceremonies and trained over 50 NYSC Directors and staff across Nigeria's northern region.

Name

Institute For Humanitarian Studies & Social Development

Legal name

Institute For Humanitarian Studies & Social Development

Website

https://ihsd-ng.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

IHSD is a Nigeria-based non-profit training and certification institute that delivers professional humanitarian, NGO management, and grant writing programs to development practitioners, civil society, and government agencies across Africa, with certificates recognized via UNITAR partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Certification

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Volunteer Safety, Safeguarding & Risk Management Services (EDAIAGAN), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Humanitarian training
• NGO management certification
• Professional diploma programs
• Volunteerism training
• Grant proposal writing

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Programs: IHSD generates revenue through charging fees for professional certificate courses, proficiency training programs, and advanced diplomas in humanitarian services, NGO management, grant proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, and related fields. Programs are offered both online and in-person at various price points.
2. Membership and Certification Fees: Revenue is generated through membership fees, certification charges, and examination fees for individuals seeking professional qualifications and recognition as certified humanitarians and NGO managers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IHSD is a non-profit training and certification institute that delivers professional certificate courses, advanced diplomas, and capacity-building programs in humanitarian services, NGO management, grant proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, conflict resolution, and humanitarian social work. Programs are offered online and in-person, with certificates globally recognized through a partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The institute also runs the Pan-African Humanitarian Leadership Awards (TPAHLA) and tiered Humanitarian Ambassador Programs (Gold, Silver, Bronze) to recognize volunteerism.

Product overview

The Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (IHSD) is Africa's foremost institute providing alternative-quality education in the social and non-profit sector. The organization operates as a unified training and certification institute offering multiple interconnected programs: the Proficiency Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Services and NGO Management (core flagship 4-day intensive course), Advanced Professional Diplomas in Humanitarian Care-Giving and Social Welfarism, Professional Diplomas in UN Human Security and Child Care (in partnership with UNITAR), specialized Monitoring and Evaluation training, and Grant Proposal Writing programs. These programs are complemented by recognition initiatives including the Pan-African Humanitarian Leadership Awards (TPAHLA), Humanitarian Merit Awards, and tiered Humanitarian Ambassador Programs (Gold/Silver/Bronze levels). All courses are delivered through virtual/online platforms, physical workshops, and hybrid formats, with certificates recognized globally through UNITAR partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Proficiency Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Services and NGO Management A 4-day intensive certification course designed to equip participants with professional humanitarian leadership skills and NGO management knowledge aligned with global best practices. Offered in partnership with UNITAR.
• Humanitarian Ambassador Programs (Gold, Silver, Bronze) Tiered volunteer recognition and membership programs at zonal (Gold), state (Silver), and community (Bronze) levels designed to promote humanitarianism and volunteerism across Nigeria.
• Advanced Professional Diploma in Humanitarian Care-Giving and Social Welfarism A comprehensive diploma program covering humanitarian caregiving services, social welfare systems, community support structures, and ethical service delivery for vulnerable populations.
• Grant Proposal Writing, Concept Paper, and Strategic Work Plan Development Training Intensive capacity-building training designed to equip development practitioners with practical skills to design fundable projects and secure grants from donors. Offered in partnership with UNITAR.
• Online Specialized Certificate Course on Monitoring and Evaluation An online certificate course providing practical skills and knowledge in monitoring and evaluation fundamentals as applicable to humanitarian and social development work.
• Professional Diploma in UN Human Security Approach and Diplomatic Tracks in Conflict Resolution A 12-weekend self-paced professional diploma course in partnership with UNITAR covering UN human security approaches and diplomatic conflict resolution methods.
• Professional Diploma in Humanitarian-Social Work and Child Care A 16-weekend self-paced professional diploma with project work and internship focusing on humanitarian social work practices and child welfare.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Katsina State GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2025Signed MoU between Katsina State and IHSD. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda was decorated as a Distinguished Humanitarian Fellow and nominated for TPAHLA 2025, establishing a framework for local and regional impact.
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Dr. Princess Origa and TPAHLA committee paid strategic visit to NHRC. Meeting discussed shared goals around protecting dignity, celebrating leadership, and creating impact. Received support from Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu.
• National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TPAHLA Central Working Committee visited NAPTIP headquarters for engagement around humanitarianism, partnership, and people-centered leadership. The meeting opened doors for collaboration, policy dialogue, and mutual advocacy.
• African Union ECOSOCC Office, NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2022The African Union hosted IHSD's professional proficiency certificate training at its ECOSOCC office in Abuja. This venue partnership legitimizes IHSD's programs and demonstrates continental recognition of the institute's training standards.
• Delta State Government - Directorate of Humanitarian and Community Support ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022IHSD trained staff of Delta State's humanitarian directorate on Humanitarian Leadership and Monitoring & Evaluation. The partnership aims to build MDA capacity for effective service delivery.
• Abia State GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2021IHSD collaborated with Abia State Government for a sensitization program on humanitarianism and volunteerism, attended by approximately 1000 people. The partnership commemorated World Humanitarian Day.
• National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2021IHSD partnered with NYSC to mainstream humanitarianism and volunteerism into the NYSC scheme. The partnership involves training corps members across pilot states, building capacity for national development through the culture of volunteerism.
• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHSD's primary strategic partner for training delivery. Programs are designed and delivered in partnership with UNITAR, and IHSD certificates are recognized globally through this partnership. The collaboration enables IHSD to offer UN-endorsed professional training in humanitarian services, NGO management, and grant proposal writing.
• Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHSD took a leading role among MDAs, CSOs, and media organizations in supporting the National Policy on Inclusive Volunteerism. IHSD registrar delivered lecture at the policy unveiling ceremony.
• Vision Africa RadiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision Africa Radio in Umuahia hosted IHSD's humanitarian training in Abia state, providing media platform for promoting professional training programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian organization with extensive Africa operations in conflict, food security, and humanitarian capacity building. Comparable because Mercy Corps invests in local NGO and government capacity building — a similar buyer persona to IHSD's NGO/CSO training market.
• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO): International volunteering and development NGO that promotes volunteerism and builds capacity of frontline health, education, and livelihoods workers. Comparable to IHSD because both promote structured volunteerism, deliver capacity-building for development practitioners, and operate in low- and middle-income country contexts including Africa.
• Peace Corps: US government international volunteer-sending agency with strong programs across Africa. Comparable to IHSD as a national-level organization that mainstreamed volunteerism into development practice and partners with host-country government institutions, mirroring IHSD's NYSC and state government engagements.
• Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN): Private development network operating schools, hospitals, and civil society programs across Africa and Asia. Comparable to IHSD as a multi-country institution that delivers professional education and capacity-building services to African civil society and government actors.
• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): UN-mandated training institute that delivers capacity-building programs globally and co-designs IHSD's flagship diplomas. Comparable because it is the same category of organization (international training institute) and shares IHSD's curriculum on humanitarian services, NGO management, and grant proposal writing.

Emerging players

• NetHope: Global consortium of humanitarian and development NGOs that delivers technology, training, and capacity-building programs to its member organizations. Comparable to IHSD as a capacity-building intermediary serving the NGO sector with curriculum delivery and certification-adjacent programming.
• Tony Elumelu Foundation: African philanthropy that funds, trains, and mentors African entrepreneurs and leaders through structured programs. Comparable to IHSD because both deliver standardized Pan-African training programs, host annual convocation events (TPAHLA vs. TEF Forum), and serve as African-branded capacity-building platforms.
• African Leadership Academy: Pan-African educational institution developing Africa's next generation of leaders through secondary and post-secondary programs. Comparable to IHSD because both target emerging African professionals, deliver certified leadership/humanitarian training, and position themselves as Pan-African flagship education brands.

Direct peers

• African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF): Africa-focused intergovernmental institution that builds capacity in economic policy, public financial management, and development across the continent. Comparable to IHSD as a Pan-African institution delivering professional capacity-building and certification to African public sector and development practitioners.

Regional players

• Right To Play: International organization that uses sport and play to educate children in vulnerable communities across Africa and globally. Comparable to IHSD as a humanitarian-focused education/training organization working across multiple African countries with government and community partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ihsdnigeria1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ihsd-ng
• Facebookfacebook.com/ihsdnigeria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute For Humanitarian Studies & Social Development