Episodes

  • World Population Day 2024

    World Population Day 2024
    Jul 11 2024
    Join us for an enlightening discussion on World Population Day 2024 as we delved into the critical issues surrounding population growth in Nigeria. This special podcast episode featured experts and thought leaders who provided valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges posed by Nigeria's rapidly growing population. We began with an exploration of World Population Day, its origins, and why it remains a crucial observance in today's world. Our guests then discussed the key drivers behind Nigeria's population growth, including cultural, economic, and social factors. Next, we tackled the pressing issues of healthcare and education, examining the challenges Nigeria faces in providing these essential services to its burgeoning population. The intersection of population growth with poverty and economic development was analyzed, highlighting the complexities and potential solutions. We discovered how Nigeria can harness the power of its youthful demographic to foster economic growth and drive innovation. Our experts provided projections for Nigeria's population growth and discussed the policies that should be prioritized to manage this growth effectively. We also explored the critical role of gender equality and women's empowerment in addressing population issues and ensuring sustainable development. Don't miss this insightful episode as we shed light on the demographic dynamics shaping Nigeria's future. Tune in, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation on how Nigeria can navigate its population challenges and harness its potential for a prosperous future.
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    47 mins
  • MSME Day 2024: Technology as an Enabler for MSME Development in Nigeria

    MSME Day 2024: Technology as an Enabler for MSME Development in Nigeria
    Jun 27 2024
    Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for 90 percent of businesses, 60 to 70 percent of employment and 50 percent of GDP globally. In Nigeria, MSMEs account for 96.7 percent of businesses, approx. 46 percent of the GDP and employ over 80 percent of the labour force, according to the latest report published by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Therefore, MSMEs have been recognised as the backbone of societies globally with the capacity to contribute to development, innovation, wealth creation, employment generation and poverty reduction and promote equitable economic growth if given adequate support, especially considering Nigeria’s strong, youthful and entrepreneurial population. Considering the immense potential of MSMEs and the need to raise awareness about their pivotal role in economic development, June 27 was earmarked for the celebration of MSME Day annually. To deliver a competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of creating employment, wealth creation and driving socio-economic development, gaps within the entrepreneurship ecosystem need to be urgently addressed for its potential to be harnessed. Technology adoption has been identified as a veritable tool in driving the required reforms in the MSME ecosystem in Nigeria. Hence, the podcast seeks to explore the imperative of technology and digitalisation to the realisation of desired policy reforms across key pain points such as access to markets, access to finance and taxation.
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    42 mins
  • World Environment Day 2024 - Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience

    World Environment Day 2024 - Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience
    Jun 5 2024
    In light of the need to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the environment, June 5 has been earmarked as World Environment Day. This day is celebrated annually, and the theme for 2024 is Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. This theme resonates well with the submissions in the white paper published by the NESG Sustainability Policy Commission in March 2024, “A Pragmatic Path to Net-Zero Using the Green Economy, Blue Economy, and Forestry.” While environmental sustainability issues remain a global concern, Nigeria is one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, flooding, more intense storms, and desertification. Therefore, this podcast will highlight the imperatives to address the interrelated issues of climate change, environmental conservation and social well-being. Bringing his wealth of experience as an Environmental Sustainability and Waste Management Consultant with over 20 years of experience, Dr Femi Idowu-Adegoke will discuss Nigeria's progress since the submission of an updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2021, the significant challenges, and potential strategies to bolster environmental sustainability
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    24 mins
  • Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)

    Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
    May 30 2024
    As we reach the five-year mark since the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), it has been considered necessary to examine the effectiveness of this landmark treaty. This discussion will focus on how the Nigerian economy can strategically position itself to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. Leaders of the NESG Trade, Investment and Competitiveness Policy Commission will discuss the imperatives of the Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and other policy imperatives. Also, bringing a wealth of experience as the CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf will provide his invaluable perspective as a key industry player. He will discuss Nigeria's progress since ratifying the agreement in November 2020, the significant challenges, and potential strategies to bolster intraregional trade. In addition, according to Article 28 of AfCFTA, the treaty is "subject to review every five (5) years after its entry into force..." Given current realities, the conversation will address whether or not the agreement should be reviewed and what such reviews should be.
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    47 mins
  • Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement

    Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
    May 30 2024
    As we approach the five-year mark since the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement on May 30, 2024, it has been considered necessary to examine the effectiveness of this landmark treaty. This discussion will focus on how the Nigerian economy can strategically position itself to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. Leaders of the NESG Trade, Investment and Competitiveness Policy Commission will discuss the imperatives of the Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and other policy imperatives. Bringing a wealth of experience as the CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf will provide his invaluable perspective as a key industry player. He will discuss Nigeria's progress since ratifying the agreement in November 2020, the significant challenges, and potential strategies to bolster intraregional trade. Also, according to Article 28 of AfCFTA, the treaty is "subject to review every five (5) years after its entry into force..." Given current realities, the conversation will address whether or not the agreement should be reviewed and what such reviews should be.
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    47 mins
  • Nigeria’s electoral system: A look at the 2023 general elections and lessons for 2027

    Nigeria’s electoral system: A look at the 2023 general elections and lessons for 2027
    Apr 18 2024
    Did the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over-promise and under-deliver in 2023? In this episode of the #IfNotNowWhen series, Amaka Anku, Africa practice head at Eurasia Group, sits with Festus Okoye, INEC’s former head of voter education, to discuss Nigeria’s electoral system and the commission’s performance in the 2023 general elections. They debate the common use of the phrase “electronic transmission of results” and discuss what INEC can do to improve election logistics in the future.
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    56 mins
  • World Health Day 2024 : My health, My right

    World Health Day 2024 : My health, My right
    Apr 8 2024
    The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’. The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. Without health, a person is denied their right to be contributing members of society and to provide for their families. Right to Health is the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
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    38 mins
  • World Health Day 2024 : My health, My right

    World Health Day 2024 : My health, My right
    Apr 8 2024
    The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’. The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. Without health, a person is denied their right to be contributing members of society and to provide for their families. Right to Health is the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
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    38 mins