The Nextier

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘄! 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 Patrick O. Okigbo III, in conversation with Dr Okey Ikechukwu, mni Date:    Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Time:   3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (WAT) Zoom:  https://bit.ly/DevDisc_ETD

Join Dr Okey Ikechukwu, mni, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, and Patrick O. Okigbo III, Founding Partner of Nextier, to discuss the processes and forces needed to transition from elitocracy to a true democracy. 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲:  Wednesday, August 7, 2024 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲:  3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (WAT) 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺: https://bit.ly/DevDisc_ETD

In Nigeria, protests date back to precolonial times. Sections of what is known as Nigeria today used it to push against colonial administration and practices. A classic example is the Aba women’s riot in 1929 against British colonial authorities’ tax policies. Post-independent demonstrations include the Ali Must Go protest in 1978, a student-led rally against tuition fee hikes. Twenty-first-century Nigeria has recorded other forms of protest, such as the massive #OccupyNigeria movement in 2012 and the #EndSARS protest eight years later. These protests were against fuel subsidies and police brutality. The 2020 protest against police brutality was markedly different. Despite the age of Nigeria’s democracy, security operatives clamped down on protesters nationwide. The Nigerian Military was reported to have used live ammunition on peaceful protesters who mounted a tollgate in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, in defiance of the government’s pleas for dialogue. Click here - https://bit.ly/4fxwmwT to read more and share your thoughts. Ndubuisi N. Nwokolo, PhD | Ndidi Anyanwu | Kenneth Maduagwu | Samuel Oluwajobi | Olive Aniunoh | Joshua Biem | Patrick O. Okigbo III | Emeka Okpukpara

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 Patrick O. Okigbo III, in conversation with Dr Okey Ikechukwu, mni Date:  Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Time:  3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (WAT) Zoom: https://bit.ly/DevDisc_ETD

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 Patrick O. Okigbo III, in conversation with Dr Okey Ikechukwu, mni Date:    Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Time:   3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (WAT) Zoom:  https://bit.ly/DevDisc_ETD Churchill was correct in describing democracy as "the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." However, for democracy to be effective, the state must ensure free and fair elections, uphold the rule of law, defend the separation of powers, protect civil liberties and human rights, encourage inclusive and plural political participation, ensure accountability and transparency, among other principles. Nigeria has had an uninterrupted 25 years of democratic rule. However, the country has failed to ensure that ordinary citizens have the ultimate control of political power, which is a fundamental principle of democratic governance. Instead, political power in Nigeria is concentrated in the hands of a select group of individuals. This has led to a democratic deficit, increased inequality, accountability issues, social unrest, biased public policies, disproportionate resource distribution, and a decline in public trust. If left unaddressed, this elitocracy could evolve into oligarchy, plutocracy, authoritarianism, kleptocracy, or even feudalism. In his book, "Gambling on Development," Stefan Dercan argues that establishing a development bargain is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and development in any country. This outcome requires an elite consensus to prioritise national development. Such a bargain may require them to exercise restraint and potentially risk their positions of power for long-term growth and prosperity. But why should rams vote for Sallah? In "The Narrow Corridor," Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson argue that liberty flourishes where there is a balance of power between the state and society, preventing either from becoming too dominant. They argue for a "shackled Leviathan," where the state is powerful enough to enforce laws and provide public goods but is constrained by a strong society that demands accountability and limits on the former’s powers. The question is: how can Nigerians and their government achieve this balance? How can the elite become more sensitive to the realities the masses face? How can the masses (and their civil society) place checks on the elite? What forces and processes will move an elitocracy to become a democracy? How can the state and the people carefully navigate this transition to excise the cancer without harming the host? Join Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, and Patrick O. Okigbo III, Founding Partner of Nextier, to explore these and many more questions. Nextier, a multi-competency advisory firm, uses its Development Discourse series to probe for answers to complex development questions. Please click here to view the details of past events.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 Today, as the world unites against the scourge of human trafficking, a chilling truth emerges: 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘀. Their innocence, dreams, and futures are stolen and traded like commodities in a global market of exploitation. Children, more likely than adults, are becoming victims, and their lives turn into mere shadows and further into the darkness. The scourge of this crime mainly targets the girls who are directly affected. The tentacles of this problem spread far and wide, with certain regions emerging as hotspots. Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean endure a burden, with children accounting for 60% of identified trafficking victims. Even in developed nations, the insidious nature of trafficking means no corner of the world is immune. It is a call to action, a demand for justice. The core reasons for human trafficking range from discrimination and marginalization to poverty and economic inequality, especially in developing countries where there is some level of desperation for economic survival. Worst off are conflict zones where displacement and instability make children easy targets. On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, as we channel efforts toward ending trafficking in persons, we must recommit ourselves to “𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴”. Efforts at individual, national, and international levels must be channelled into a relentless pursuit of the traffickers. There is a need to employ the 4Ps (Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership). On prevention, investments in programmes that provide sustainable livelihoods for families, especially those affected by conflict, could reduce the vulnerability to trafficking. Protective measures must encompass establishing safe houses and legal aid for rescued victims. Partnerships and prosecution through multi-stakeholder collaborations would go a long way in addressing trafficking and protecting children. We must create a world where children are protected, nurtured, and empowered, not exploited and abused. Let us pledge to be the voice of the voiceless, the hope of the hopeless. Let us work tirelessly to dismantle the networks that profit from the misery of children. Together, we can break the chains of slavery, restore innocence, and build a future where every child can thrive. This is a time for action, not just words. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. #EndHumanTrafficking

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 * ⁠How can the international development assistance framework be reformed to incentivise country ownership, mutual accountability, and a focus on results? * How can African governments manage and align development assistance with national priorities while reducing corruption and promoting good governance? * What alternative development models could be more effective in solving socio-economic problems in Africa?   'Dapo Oyewole, the Senior Special Assistant on International Cooperation to the President of Nigeria, and Patrick O. Okigbo III, the founding partner of Nextier, explored these important questions and more. The insights from their discussion will provide African governments and developing partners with a roadmap for making international cooperation more effective in addressing the continent’s political and socio-economic challenges. Click here https://bit.ly/4d7kQa3 to watch the full interview.

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the Electricity Hub hosted its 𝟵𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲. Our panellists for the day were Edu Okeke, the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa Ltd; Andrew Echono, FCA, FCTI, the Country Coordinator at the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF); Chibueze Ekeh, the Chief Executive Officer at CEESOLAR and Sandra Osinachi-Nwandem, Associate at Tope Adebayo LP. They discussed the topic, "𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮?" The event was highly engaging and interactive, with attendees/stakeholders excited about the next steps, which include; 1. Conducting outreach programs to properly educate Nigerians on how the power sector works.  2. Electricity access is not free and should be considered a business for those involved instead of a social good.  3. The government and other stakeholders must allow the power market to run efficiently without policy somersaults and subsidies. Click here - https://bit.ly/3YlBZZ3 to join the conversation and gain more insights. ___________ Omono Okonkwo | Blessing Afolabi | Nameh Ajayi | Martins Eze | Emeka Okpukpara | Patrick O. Okigbo III

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘄! 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸: https://lnkd.in/dKuG3ETr 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (WAT) Patrick O. Okigbo III, in conversation with Julie Kedroske

Nigeria has recently won the bid to host the 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 (𝗔𝗘𝗕). The bank’s establishment is a collaborative effort by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), with the primary aim of tackling shortages in energy funding in Africa. The arrival of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) is poised to significantly shift the African energy sector. However, the AEB’s approach raises critical questions about its impact on Africa’s energy transition goals. This Nextier’s Pan-African series analyses the AEB’s objectives of concurrently funding fossil fuels and renewable energy and its implications for the global drive to phase out fossil fuels. The energy crisis that Africa is currently experiencing is no longer news, as over 600 million people in the continent lack access to power, and over 900 million lack clean cooking options. The AEB’s initial focus on financing energy projects, including oil and gas ventures, responds to this dire situation to fill the void left by global institutions shying away from fossil fuels due to climate change concerns. This approach offers a lifeline to resource-rich African nations struggling to develop their energy infrastructure. The bank’s potential to unlock these resources and stimulate economic growth is undeniable. However, is this fossil fuel focus aligned with Africa’s long-term energy goals? Click here -https://bit.ly/4dc3Mzb to read the full article and share your thoughts with us.