Webinars

Dr. Kashema Bahago is an Economist and Researcher with experience in development and management consulting, having managed research projects across their full cycle, from conceptualisation through implementation, stakeholder engagement and project closeout. He maintains a growing portfolio of peer-reviewed articles and policy papers. He is a 2024 graduate of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, a 2026 Agora Policy Fellow, and a 2020 International Energy Fellow who worked on energy policy. He is also skilled in developing strategic plans that strengthen government institutions’ capacity to fulfil their mandates in accordance with their enabling legislation. Most specifically, he developed a five-year strategic plan for the Nigerian Agricultural Seed Council, Nigeria’s seed sector regulator.

David Opeyemi Oke is the Vice President of World Trade Center Lagos, and a member of the Advisory Council on Trade Services at the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). He is a seasoned policy strategist, trade expert, and development leader with nearly two decades of experience across Africa. He has led and contributed to policy design and development initiatives spanning trade and economic governance, youth development, migration, and internet governance, working with both public and private institutions in countries including Uganda, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC, and Madagascar. Previously, he served as Head of Trade Services at World Trade Center Abuja, founded Equip Africa Integrated Development Initiative, and was Director General (Nigeria) of the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade (GCPIT). He has also served as Director General of a leading chamber of commerce in Lagos and played a key role in supporting the domestication of the AfCFTA. He is the Founder and Global President of CELA, Convener of the Emerging African Leaders Summit, and an alumnus of SPPG Africa.

Dr. Stephanie E. Effevottu is a researcher and development practitioner with a doctorate in History (Development Studies) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She currently lectures at the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre. Her research interests span interdisciplinary areas, including religion, peacebuilding, migration, youth, gender, and sexuality studies. She has contributed significantly to discourse in these areas through academic publications and community-based projects. Aside from her academic engagement, she is a global youth leader and peacebuilding practitioner committed to advancing women and youth empowerment. She possesses over eight years of experience in non-governmental organisation (NGO) settings, which have enabled her to gain an insight into advancing development solutions to fostering engagement in peace, security, and development issues.

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Zigwai Tagwai is a development professional and humanitarian activist focused on issues relating to public policy, gender, civic participation, and peacebuilding. She holds a Master in International Affairs and Diplomacy, a bachelor degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, and a certificate in Public Leadership and policy from the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG). Zigwai is the founder of Zaza Development Initiative, a non-governmental, non-political, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable Africa through civic education, mentorship, capacity building, advocacy, and community engagement. She is an alumna of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Emerging Leaders Program and the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the U.S. Government. She is a Rotary Positive Peace Activator promoting sustainable peace, a member of Generation Democracy and Women Democracy Network. She also served as a mentor/coach for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellowship program, a Federal Government of Nigeria initiative co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Women’s Policy Action Lab an Initiative of the Office of the Speaker House of Representative and Gender Mobile Initiative.

Dr. Pooja Gupta is a technology strategist, AI leader, and digital transformation expert with over a decade of experience delivering impactful solutions across Africa, India, and global markets. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of BGS Group Zambia and is an Executive Advisory Board Member at IA Forum, USA.

Her expertise spans artificial intelligence, fintech systems, digital identity, e-governance, and large-scale public sector platforms. She has contributed to national digital initiatives, policy advisory, and implementation of AI-driven solutions aligned with inclusive and ethical innovation.

A recognized speaker, mentor, and award-winning leader, Dr. Gupta is deeply committed to empowering youth and women in technology. She continues to champion responsible AI adoption and capacity building, shaping Africa’s digital future through leadership, innovation, and impact.

Recipient of Zambia Glow Woman of the Year 2026 Award, she continues to inspire through her leadership journey—balancing her role as a mother of three with her commitment to driving meaningful, sustainable impact in the technology ecosystem

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Bolu Michael-Biyi is an international development professional, AI literacy consultant, and global thought leader at the intersection of technology, policy, and social transformation. He currently serves as Knowledge Management Advisor at Canadian Crossroads International in Eswatini and is the Founder and Executive Director of Code24 AI, an AI education and capacity-building organization advancing responsible and practical use of artificial intelligence to solve problems.

Trained in Psychology at Covenant University, where he served as the 4th Students’ Union President, Bolu went on to earn a second degree in Law from Swansea University (UK) and a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex (UK). His work experience spans North America, Europe, and Africa, serving with leading institutions including the African Union and Steelcase.

A Mandela Washington Fellow, African Union Youth Fellow, Atlas Corps Fellow, LEAP Africa Scholar, Savvy Fellow, Steelcase Social Innovation Fellow and Author of 11 books, Bolu is a recipient of multiple awards for leadership, innovation, and impact. He is widely recognized for his influential writing on governance, public policy and social development issues, as well as his commentary and analysis on global affairs across television platforms.

Dengiyefa Angalapu is a political scientist, research analyst, and regional peace advocate with over a decade of experience researching conflict dynamics across the Niger Delta, North Central, and Northwest Nigeria. He currently serves as a Research Analyst at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa), where he leads research on political violence, terrorism, and conflict trends in Nigeria and across West Africa. His work spans the intersection of climate change, political violence, terrorism, and sustainable peace, with a strong focus on translating complex security data into actionable policy recommendations. He has facilitated multi-stakeholder peacebuilding initiatives in conflict-prone communities and represents CDD on regional and international platforms, including the West African Research Network on Organised Crime (WARNOC) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC). He also serves on the Advisory Committee for Nigeria’s transitional justice program, Operation Safe Corridor. Dengiyefa holds a Master of Science in Political Science (Development Studies) from Niger Delta University, and is currently a PhD candidate in Political Science (Development Studies). He also earned a Professional Master’s in Transitional Justice with Distinction from the University of Maiduguri. His analysis has featured in outlets such as Al Jazeera, DW, LSE Africa, ISS Africa, Premium Times, and African Arguments.

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Magloire Adoumadji Madjastan is a Senior Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) specialist and PhD candidate in International Relations and Business Diplomacy at CEDS Dakar. He holds a master’s degree in Strategy, Defence, Security, and Conflict Management and currently serves as Regional Head of Humanitarian Access and Safety for eight countries in West and Central Africa. His research and professional interests focus on risk governance, civil–military relations, extremist armed groups, military coups, humanitarian negotiation, and organisational responses in high-risk environments.

Ilugo Cletus C.D is an experienced Economic diversification and Development strategies, Conflict and Business Development Specialist that had worked with grassroots and international organizations such as Non-Governmental Organizations, Development Institutions (UN agency), Financial organization and manufacturing organizations to develop strategies needed to enhance the improvement of human lives. He holds a Master Degree in Conflict, Security and Development, another Master in Development Studies and M.Sc. in Economics. He is presently a PhD student of Peace and Conflict Studies, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Cletus had previously undergone three international training on Conflict Prevention, Election Observation and Conflict Analysis and Mediation at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Center, Accra, Ghana.

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Professor Muhammad Kabir Isa is a distinguished academic in the fields of governance, administration and development. A graduate of Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, he earned his B.Sc in 1989, M.Sc in 1994, and PhD in 2010. He was previously the Deputy Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies (2017–2021), now a Postgraduate College. He recently served his sabbatical leave (2024/2025) at the Nigeria Defence Academy where he taught Political Science and International Relations, and currently serves as the Dean, Faculty of Administration, ABU Zaria. With over 30 years of academic and research experience, Professor Isa has contributed extensively to edited volumes and scholarly books, with notable publications such as Militant Ethnic Movement and Youth Sub-Culture of Violence in Nigerian Cities, AlieNation: The State of Koma in Nigeria, Militant Islamic Movements in Northern Nigeria, and Identity Politics and Transformations in Contemporary Nigeria. His work has been featured in publications by the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria and Addis Ababa. He is a member of the UNESCO-MOST Ethno-Net Africa network, and the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM). Additionally, he holds memberships in the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) and the Association of African Political Science, West Africa Zone (AAPS-WA), where he is a pioneer member.