To commemorate the #WorldWaterDay2024 themed "Water for Peace", we had an engaging conversation with Engineer Nyananso Gabriel Ekanem.

Engineer Ekanem is the Thematic Lead, Water and Sanitation Thematic Group of the Infrastructure Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

Nigeria's northern deserts, central flooding, coastal pollution and erosion, and the ensuing socioeconomic fallout all hint at the severity and veracity of climate change. As a result, swift action is required to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Simultaneously, with the population growing at an accelerated rate, more development is required to provide better living circumstances for millions more Nigerians which can be achieved through transition to clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources and the next several decades provide a rare chance to combine these two priorities—economic growth and climate action—for Nigeria to accomplish one of the first truly fair transformations in history in Africa's largest economy.

With an estimated 340,000 jobs expected to be produced by 2030 and up to 840,000 jobs by 2060, Nigeria's net-zero route would result in considerable net job creation, with the power, cooking, and transportation sectors accounting for the majority of these jobs.

In Nigeria's net-zero pathway, gas will be essential as a transition fuel, especially in the areas of cooking and power, considering that Nigeria's energy transition offers substantial investment prospects, including the creation and growth of solar energy, hydrogen, and electric car businesses.

On this episode, our Policy Innovation Center delved into the theme "Shaping Youth Ambition: The Role of Educational Policies, Programs, and Technology."

In this engaging and informative podcast, we're joined by esteemed facilitators from Policy Innovation Centre:

Ese Adams, Gender and Inclusion Advisor

Akinwumi Akinola, Behavioral Insight Lead

Dr. Cornelius Ohonsi, Epidemiologist and Public Health Specialist

Get ready for insightful discussions and expert insights on how educational policies, programs, and technology can shape the ambitions of our youth.

The NESG 2024 macroeconomic outlook emphasises the importance of achieving macroeconomic stability, of which inflation and the exchange rate are key determinants.

In this episode, we explore the factors contributing to the currency's decline, from economic mismanagement to external pressures. We discuss the ramifications for Nigeria's economy and its citizens, examining the challenges faced by businesses, investors, and everyday people.

In recent times, Nigeria has been facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring and communities grappling with the impact. This podcast aims to delve into the underlying causes of this heatwave, its connection to climate change, and practical steps individuals and communities can take to mitigate its effects. We will be joined by a climate specialist, who will provide expert insights and guidance on understanding climate change in the Nigerian context and offer actionable advice on how listeners can adapt to and cope with rising temperatures.

The Federal Executive Council on November 2, 2022, approved the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP). The approval is the culmination of years of positive engagement between the private sector, led by the NESG and the public sector, led by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, to ensure the transformation of sports from recreation to business.

The podcast will delve into the dynamic world of sports and explore the impact of policies that shape the industry. The aim is to gain insights into the goals, strategies, and anticipated outcomes of this groundbreaking policy as we discuss its potential to revolutionize the sports sector in Nigeria.

This topic considers the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act for developing communities in Nigeria's oil and gas-producing communities. The PIA introduced the HCDT as a uniform host community benefit management system to replace the old agreement-based systems (Memorandum of Understanding/Global Memorandum of Understanding (MOU/GMOU) implemented in line with each company’s Corporate Social Responsibility policies. Under the PIA, the settlors (leaseholders of oil and gas assets) are responsible for incorporating the Trusts to benefit their host communities. Many Trusts have been incorporated and are in the process of commencing operations. The PIA stipulates that the primary purpose of the HCDTs is to “foster sustainable prosperity” in host communities. This phrase was not defined in the Act. However, the establishment of HCDTs in the Nigerian petroleum industry to manage host communities' development expectations is new to Nigeria. This raises some questions about the utility of the framework, operability, effectiveness, etc.

Our outgoing CEO, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, shared insights with the incoming CEO, Dr Tayo Aduloju, discussing his impactful tenure at the helm of affairs and his invaluable contributions to the NESG.