News & Events

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) hosted a Research and Career Development Workshop on June 11, 2025, for members of the Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA) from the University of Abuja and Veritas University.

Moderated by Gift Ojima Ejeh, the event offered a day of learning, engagement, and professional development aimed at equipping aspiring economists and researchers with practical skills and insights. It served as a platform to connect academic knowledge with real-world research and career opportunities.

Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director of CSEA, delivered the opening keynote, emphasizing the critical role of research think tanks in driving Africa’s development. The program included a deep dive into CSEA’s research methodology led by Anthony Okon, followed by a panel highlighting key policy-driven initiatives—from tobacco control, public finance, to the integration of AI in research—presented by Henry Urama, Anthony Bisong, and Chinedu Ifionu.

Obiageli Ekwunwa led a session exploring the challenges and potential of subject streaming and math readiness among economics students and administered a survey. Onyinye Onuh shared practical advice on preparing for life after graduation, including tips on CV writing and job interviews. The final sessions, delivered by Kemi Odesola and John Chidera, focused on effective research communication and visual storytelling, demonstrating how CSEA translates complex research into accessible formats like videos and podcasts.

The Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) participated in a high-level roundtable discussion on the reform of Nigeria's education sector. The event was hosted by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), under  the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigerian Education (PLANE) Programme. The event took place at the Protea Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos on June 3, 2025. The roundtable convened key education stakeholders including Commissioners for Education, Permanent Secretaries, development partners, and technical experts to address the theme : "Excellence in Education: Tackling the Crisis of Underperformance."

Dr. Adedeji Adeniran, Director of Research at CSEA  presented a paper titled Perspectives on Learning Outcomes in South-West Nigeria: A Diagnostic and Alignment Analysis. His paper shed light on systemic barriers  affecting learning outcomes in the region and proposed evidence-based strategies for reform. Discussions  revealed persistent challenges  such as inadequate infrastructure, resistance from non-state school owners, overdependence on donor funding, lack of follow-up on past resolutions, flawed policies like mass student promotion, data gaps on unregistered schools, and growing parental pressure for early school completion.

In response, participants identified a set of shared  priorities including:  standardizing education quality, improving teacher capacity, enhancing data systems, fostering partnerships, and enabling states to access global education support programs. The roundtable discussion concluded with a unified commitment to address  the  underperformance crisis and build a resilient, high-quality and regionally coordinated education system.

Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), participated in the African Policy Circle Conference held from May 25-29, 2025, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The conference served as a regional platform for dialogue on governance, economic development, and civic engagement, bringing  together policymakers, civil society leaders, development practitioners, and academics to explore strategic pathways toward sustainable development and inclusive governance across Africa.

Dr. Onyekwena spoke on a  panel  titled “What is the value of digital technology for civil society and how can it be applied innovatively to the work of civil society?” The discussion highlighted the critical role of digital tools in enhancing advocacy , enabling data-driven decision-making, and fostering inclusive civic engagement. Drawing from practical examples and forward-thinking strategies, the session emphasized the  potential of technology to  strengthen accountability and amplify the impact of civil society organizations across the continent.

CSEA’s participation in the conference reflects its continued engagement  in  promoting evidence-based policy solutions and harnessing  digital innovation to promote good governance and sustainable development in Africa.

On May 27, 2025, Research Fellows Dr. Oluwatosin Edafe and Dr. Adamu Ahmed Wudil represented the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) at a high-level strategic stakeholder engagement with Professor Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The meeting provided a strategic platform to present the objectives of CSEA’s ongoing  research project “Advancing Educational Solutions: Research for Scaling Education Innovations in Emergencies and Fragile, Conflict and Violence-affected areas of Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria”. Discussions focused on  the importance of scaling effective education innovations in  crisis-affected environments and aligning these efforts with national priorities.

During the engagement, CSEA highlighted  its interest in collaborating with NERDC to  codesign, implement and institutionalise  education policies within  Nigeria’s education system. This collaboration represents  a significant step towards fostering sustainable, inclusive, and resilient education systems in vulnerable regions.

Dr. Oluwatosin Deborah Edafe, Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), participated as a resource person at two key national trainings focused on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) taxation, held in Kano in May 2025. Both events were organized by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and aimed to strengthen public discourse and media capacity around SSB policy interventions in Nigeria.

The first training, the National Journalism Training on SSB Tax and Industry Monitoring (May 19–20), brought together journalists to enhance accurate and evidence-based reporting on public health issues—particularly the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria. Dr. Edafe delivered a presentation titled “Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) Tax and Economic Impact on Households: Cost of Disease and Effective Taxation,” highlighting the significant health and economic burdens associated with SSB consumption, and the potential of taxation as a tool for prevention and public health protection.

The second event, the Media Training for National SSB Tax Coalition Members (May 22–23), convened media professionals, civil society actors, public health experts, and policymakers to advance strategic communication around SSB taxation. Dr. Edafe presented on “Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) as a Preventive Tool for NCDs,” emphasizing the role of fiscal policy in reducing disease burden and improving population health.

Across both sessions, discussions focused on promoting pro-health narratives, countering misinformation, and equipping participants with the skills to identify and challenge industry tactics that undermine public health policies. The training underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public understanding and support for nutrition-related interventions.