Theme: Redirecting Economic Reforms to Scale Productivity and Improve Livelihoods in Nigeria
Date: 21st November 2024
Venue: Merit House, Maitama, Abuja
The 2024 Humphrey Fellowship Annual Seminar convened a distinguished assembly of leaders, policy experts, industry professionals, and stakeholders to strategize on stabilizing Nigeria’s economy and implementing reforms to enhance livelihoods. Organized by the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (HHHFAAN), the seminar focused on actionable solutions to address the nation’s economic challenges.
The event formally began with the National Anthem and a welcome address by Mrs. Abosede Oyeleye, President of HHHFAAN. She reaffirmed the association’s dedication to fostering impactful dialogue and emphasized the importance of collective efforts to tackle Nigeria’s economic vulnerabilities and implement meaningful reforms.
The keynote address was delivered on behalf of Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, by Mr. Lee McManis, Public Diplomacy Counsellor of the U.S. Embassy. The speech highlighted the significance of leveraging technology to strengthen economic reforms, improve market access, and enhance value propositions. Mr. McManis commended Nigeria’s advancements in digital innovation and reiterated the U.S. government’s support for the country’s reform initiatives.
Following the keynote, Mr. Seun Onigbinde, Founder/CEO of BudgIT, presented a paper titled “Stabilizing Nigeria’s Economy: Redirecting Economic Reforms to Scale Productivity and Improve Livelihoods.” His presentation offered data-driven insights into Nigeria’s economic landscape and outlined success indicators such as increased non-oil exports, foreign investments, transparent governance, human capital development, and restructured fiscal policies to boost productivity and citizen welfare.
The seminar featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Titilope Ojo, a Hubert Humphrey Fellow. The panelists included:
* Dr. Paul Alaje, Chief Economist, Senior Partner at SPM Professionals
* Dr. Andrew Kwasari, President, SCL Future Foods Systems
* Mr. Eyo Ekpo, UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) Power Sector Team Lead
* Dr. Niima Kera, Health Policy and Governance Specialist
The panelists provided expert perspectives on diverse areas of economic reform, including regenerative agriculture, power sector development, fiscal discipline, and health governance.
A lively Q&A session followed, where participants exchanged ideas and sought clarifications. The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), made contributions to the seminar by emphasizing the pivotal role of the private sector in driving economic reforms. Key priorities highlighted included fostering public-private partnerships, and advancing non-oil exports as a critical pathway for economic diversification. NACCIMA is commitment to advocating for inclusive economic policies and supporting Nigeria’s ongoing economic transformation. Ifeoma Ozue represented NACCIMA at this event.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Osita Okwonko, General Secretary of HHHFAAN. The 2024 Humphrey Fellowship Annual Seminar provided a platform for insightful dialogue, actionable recommendations, and collaborative efforts to scale economic reforms and enhance livelihoods across Nigeria.
