Global health experts are on high alert with a new COVID-19 strain emerging and rising concerns about the Marburg virus. But how prepared is Nigeria to tackle these threats?

Join Dr. Ayodele Cole Benson in a deep dive with Sheriff Aderibigbe as they examine Nigeria’s readiness, response strategies, and the policies in place to prevent a crisis.

In 2025, millions of rural Nigerians still lack reliable electricity, limiting growth and development opportunities. But clean energy solutions such as mini-grids are transforming the landscape.

In this interview with Sheriff Aderibigbe, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, shares how the Agency is combating energy poverty and unlocking the potential of rural communities across the country.

Discover how innovation is lighting the way to a brighter future!

Despite the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company's (AEDC) strides in upgrading power infrastructure and sensitising customers, frequent outages continue to affect businesses and daily life in the FCT. Why does this persist? AEDC MD, Chijioke Okwuokenye, sits with Francis Jakpor to uncover the challenges and chart a path towards sustainable electricity supply for Abuja.

The International Day of Clean Energy serves as a global platform to emphasise the critical role

of clean energy in combating climate change, fostering sustainable development, and improving energy access.

As the world faces the dual challenges of environmental degradation and energy poverty, transitioning to clean

and renewable energy sources has become a top priority. This year's observance comes at a pivotal time when

technological advancements, policy initiatives, and grassroots movements are driving progress, yet significant

barriers remain.

In Nigeria, the clean energy landscape presents both opportunities and hurdles. While renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro hold immense potential, issues like inadequate infrastructure, limited financing options, and policy gaps often impede progress. Moreover, public awareness about the benefits of clean energy and its role in building a sustainable future remains relatively low.

This conversation aims to highlight the importance of clean energy, discuss actionable solutions to existing challenges, and inspire listeners to participate in the global clean energy transition. By engaging experts, we hope to foster a meaningful dialogue that drives awareness and action.

The 2025 International Day of Education, under the theme “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” focuses on the intersection of education and technological advancement. This year’s observance highlights the transformative power of education in equipping individuals and communities with the tools to navigate, understand, and shape a rapidly evolving digital landscape dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. As AI-driven systems become increasingly integrated into daily life, questions arise about the balance between human agency and machine-driven decision-making. The theme encourages

reflection on how education can preserve and redefine human intention and creativity in the face of technological acceleration.

Education plays a critical role in fostering the skills and values necessary to adapt to these changes. Beyond technical expertise, it must also instill critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and adaptability, ensuring that technology serves humanity rather than diminishes it. This International Day of Education provides an opportunity to celebrate achievements in global education while advocating for the reforms needed to ensure education systems remain relevant and inclusive in the digital age. It calls for policymakers, educators, and communities to work together to create a future where education not only prepares individuals for an AI-driven world but also empowers them to maintain agency and humanity within it.

International Volunteer Day is celebrated globally on December 5 to recognise and appreciate the invaluable work of volunteers across the globe. The International Volunteer Day highlights the contributions of volunteers in addressing societal challenges, promoting peace and sustainable development, and advancing human rights. The theme for 2024 is “Volunteer for an Inclusive Future," which aligns with the mission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), which is focused on promoting and championing the reform of the Nigerian economy into an open, inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive economy. The NESG works with volunteers who are experts across the different sectors of the economy to achieve this mission.

At the core of the NESG's operations is the recognition of the immense value that volunteers bring to the organisation and its mission. Volunteerism plays a vital role in supporting the NESG's activities, as volunteers contribute their time, skills, and expertise to advance the organisation's goals. By engaging volunteers, the NESG taps into a diverse pool of talent, fosters innovation, and strengthens its capacity to drive meaningful change in Nigeria's economic landscape. This podcast seeks to celebrate the impact of the NESG volunteer workforce over the last three decades.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Stanbic IBTC have released the latest edition of their monthly Business Confidence Monitor Report. This report provides vital insights into the current business climate in Nigeria, including the levels of optimism, challenges, and economic indicators influencing business operations. As a key gauge of the private sector’s perception of the economy, the Business Confidence Monitor offers an invaluable lens through which businesses, policymakers, and investors can assess current conditions and anticipate future trends.

The 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #30) Art Competition aimed at celebrating the creativity and diversity of emerging Nigerian artists. Organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in collaboration with the Africa Art Fund, the competition provided a platform for artists under the age of 35 to showcase their artistic talents. Participants were encouraged to explore themes of collaborative design and sustainable economic development, offering their unique vision for Nigeria’s future through various forms of artistic expression.

The competition welcomed submissions across a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and more. This inclusivity allowed artists from different backgrounds and skill sets to participate, with a focus on fostering creativity and dialogue about nation-building through art.

The podcast seeks to highlight the different stages of the competition, the creative process behind the winning submissions and overall relevance of the competition to the goals of the summit.

The 30th Nigerian Economic Summit essay competition, themed "Collaborative Action for Growth, Competitiveness, and Stability," aimed at engaging undergraduates in critical discussions about Nigeria's economic future. It provided a platform for young minds to present innovative ideas on how collaboration across various sectors could drive economic growth, improve competitiveness, and ensure stability. The competition attracted over 300 submissions from students across the country, showcasing diverse perspectives on addressing the nation’s challenges.

After a rigorous review process, three winners emerged, each presenting insightful and well-researched essays that proposed practical solutions for Nigeria’s economic progress. Their essays highlighted the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors, youth engagement, and strategic reforms. The winners were featured in a podcast to discuss their creative processes, the challenges they faced, and their visions for Nigeria’s future. The competition not only encouraged academic excellence but also fostered critical thinking on national development.

Nigeria’s energy transition plan is a critical part of its commitment to sustainable development and climate action, as it outlines Nigeria’s ambitious pathway towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. Launched in August 2022 by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, it focuses on expanding renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing energy access for its rapidly growing population. The COP29 theme, “In Solidarity for a Green World,” underscores the need for global cooperation, equity, and support for countries like Nigeria, which are navigating the dual challenges of energy access and climate mitigation. This theme emphasises the need for a united front in addressing climate change, with particular attention to equity and solidarity. For Nigeria, this means leveraging international partnerships, technology transfer, and climate finance to accelerate its transition towards cleaner energy sources.

This podcast explores the country’s journey, challenges, opportunities, and the role of international collaboration in achieving a greener future. It will also discuss how Nigeria’s plan aligns with the broader objectives of COP29, including global decarbonisation efforts and supporting developing countries in their transition to sustainable energy.