NESG Radio

International Literacy Day 2024 emphasizes the theme of "Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace." This aligns with the global recognition of literacy as a foundational skill necessary for human development, inclusive societies, and economic progress. Multilingual education is gaining attention as a critical tool for enhancing communication, mutual understanding, and cultural harmony in diverse societies.

In celebration of this important day, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has produced a special podcast exploring the intersection of multilingual education, literacy, and peacebuilding. This podcast aims to engage policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in a dialogue on the power of language diversity in driving inclusive education, strengthening cultural connections, and contributing to societal peace.

International Youth Day 2024 centres on the theme "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," highlighting the transformative power of digital tools and technology in empowering youth to drive sustainable development. This podcast explores how digital innovation can provide opportunities for young people to contribute to and lead sustainable development initiatives.

Why do Nigerians focus disproportionately on the central government even though states are responsible for most first-line public services? On this episode of the #IfNotNowWhen series, Amaka Anku, Africa head at Eurasia Group, chats with Akin Oyebode, minister of finance for Ekiti state, about the historical roots of this mismatch in expectations. The pair discuss the opportunities facing Nigeria’s states and some best strategies for raising revenue and improving public service delivery.

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.

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.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on the 5th of June in light of the need to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the environment. The 2024 World Environment Day theme 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 the challenges, policy priorities and the collective role of businesses and individuals towards environmental conservation and sustainability in Nigeria.

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.

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 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 discussed 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 provided his invaluable perspective as a key industry player. He discussed 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 addressed whether or not the agreement should be reviewed and what such reviews should be.

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.

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.