The 65th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), held at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja, from the 3rd to the 5th of September 2024. It was a landmark event dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s economic development and centered on the theme, “Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria: Imperatives, Implications, and Impacts”, the conference brought together key players from academia, government, and the private sector for insightful conversations on how to shape Nigeria’s economic future.
The Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF) was proud to participate in this prestigious event, showcasing our activities at a dedicated booth. Represented by PiLAF’s Policy Communication Manager, Dr. Benjamin Oyelami, Administrative Manager, Iredele Ogunbayo, and Research Fellow, Peace Aburime, our team actively engaged with participants, answering questions and sharing the transformative work PiLAF does to promote sustainable agriculture and food security.
The conference featured a robust agenda filled with enlightening plenary sessions that addressed Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges and the need for evidence-based policy solutions. These sessions not only provided valuable insights but also fostered engaging discussions among participants.
For PiLAF, the conference offered an invaluable platform for networking and building partnerships. Our team connected with various stakeholders, reinforcing existing relationships and forming new collaborations aimed at enhancing our efforts in agricultural policy advocacy. We left the event energized by the numerous opportunities for future partnerships to drive impactful change in Nigeria’s food systems.
Of special note was the leadership of NES President, Professor Adeola Adenikinju, who also serves as PiLAF’s Principal Investigator. Professor Adenikinju’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening NES, with his efforts to revamp state chapters and introduce new programs. His vision and dedication are not only advancing the cause of the NES but also inspiring those of us working alongside him at PiLAF to continue pushing the boundaries of impactful research and policy development.
As PiLAF continues its mission of shaping policies for sustainable agricultural transformation, platforms like the NES conference are crucial to driving our agenda. Through engagements like these, we advocate for evidence-driven policies that promote sustainable practices, food security, and agricultural innovation across Africa.