CSEA recently hosted a five-day workshop for stakeholders from the Impact Partner Organization Consortium (IPOC), which includes Genesis Analytics and Mathematica Global. The workshop focused on a research project aimed at understanding and advancing systemic change in Nigeria’s post-basic education. The goal is to facilitate a smooth transition for youth into the labour market, enhancing employment outcomes and creating meaningful work opportunities across Africa.

Dr. Adedeji Adeniran participated in the Southwest Education Summit convened by DAWN Commission, with support from Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), an education-focused programme funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The summit with the theme, “Collaborating for improved learning outcomes,” was held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Ibadan, Oyo State, provided a platform for key stakeholders in the education sector to discuss issues and challenges around basic education in the Southwest, and proffer solutions aimed at improving learning in the region.

During his presentation, Dr. Adeniran stated that 47% of children in Southwest Nigeria are not studying at age-appropriate levels. Despite having an important advantage due to the historical free education policy, the region is not impervious to the global learning problem.
The report recommends that appropriate authorities prioritise learning outcomes, reform the teaching profession, and embrace adaptation and iteration as keys to success.

CSEA was represented by Research Associate, Chisom Udora and Research Assistant, Fiyinfoluwa Kehinde at the 2024 National Savings Group Conference convened by CARE in Nigeria, which took place on April 23 and 24 at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua centre in Abuja.

The theme of the conference was “Accelerating Financial and Economic Inclusion: The Pivotal role of savings groups in Nigeria.” This event provided a platform for experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to discuss the transformative role of savings groups in fostering financial inclusion and socio-economic development.

Participants at the conference emphasised the need to nurture a culture of savings and encourage savings from an early age. Speakers at the event also highlighted the role that savings groups have played in providing loans for people, particularly women, to start businesses. There were discussions about the need to create laws and policies that encourage and protect women’s financial levels, as well as promote overall financial inclusion.

Furthermore, participants called for coordination between the demand and supply side of financial services and regulatory bodies, to streamline processes, and promote the formalization of savings.

CSEA Executive Director, Chukwuka Onyekwena joined other prominent business thought-leaders, high-level government officials, and partners to discuss important economic and regulatory goals and also to examine ways to improve cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, during the 2024 IMF/World Bank spring Meetings.

The session involved an engagement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with several stakeholders, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Jefferies Group, and World Trade Organization, to enhance Nigeria's economic alliances and policies.

The IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, which is an annual gathering organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, provides a forum for global leaders, policymakers, central bank governors, finance ministers, civil society organizations, and representatives from the private sector and academia to discuss critical economic and financial issues confronting the world.

This year, the Spring Meeting was themed ‘‘Vision to Impact’’, and was held in Washington D.C. from April 15 to 20 and featured various sessions and side events discussing key topics such as macroeconomic policy coordination, financial stability, debt sustainability, international trade, development finance, and the implementation of sustainable development goals.

Dr. Onyekwena was also joined by CSEA Communications Fellow, Evelyn Dan Epelle.

CSEA was represented by Dr. Adedeji Adeniran, Director of Research, at a working session convened by Gender and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network (GRAIN), on theme “a collaborative approach to responsible AI and gender" from 16 to 18 April 2024, in Kampala, Uganda.

The event provided a platform for members of the Grain Consortium (IPAR, Sunbird and CSEA), as well as the beneficiaries of the GRAIN project, to discuss strategies to help tackle gender data disparities in AI across sub-Saharan Africa.

It also aimed to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing between network members, identify challenges and opportunities to achieving the network's objectives, and develop strategies and action plans to address key issues related to GRAIN's mission.

The meeting featured a range of knowledge and exchange sessions such as presentations of beneficiaries' projects, group work and brainstorming sessions about the network’s next steps.