Big Ideas Platform 2024 to Spotlight Bold Ideas in Information Technology and Behaviour Change for Africa's Development

[Abuja – April 22, 2024] – The School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG) in partnership with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation debuted the first edition of Big Ideas Platform in 2023 under the broad theme of "Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development". Five dynamic citizens of Africa whose ideas illuminated bold solutions that can enhance the quality of life in African communities shared a platform to tell a diverse audience the story of their big idea.

This year, we are pleased to announce Big Ideas Platform 2024 in collaboration with the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation. This thought leadership initiative, taking place on May 25th, 2024, will explore the theme "Information Technology and Behaviour Change".

The event will gather leading intellectuals, policymakers, technocrats, and changemakers to engage in stimulating discussions and showcase bold ideas and disruptive solutions that can propel Africa toward a future of inclusive prosperity and sustainable development.

The Big Ideas Platform is an intellectual convergence of concepts, a marketplace of ideas, where exceptional African minds convene to engage in robust conversations. The platform will facilitate the sharing, generation, and collaboration of fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and implementation strategies to address Africa’s plethora of challenges.

Speaking at the event, Alero Ayida-Otobo, the CEO of SPPG, said, “The Big Ideas Platform is a thought leadership initiative that serves as a platform for launching new thinking, spotlighting visionary individuals, and illuminating bold ideas that have the potential to improve the lives of African communities.”

According to her, the Big Ideas Platform will serve as a catalyst for change, fostering a community of forward-thinking individuals committed to translating ideas into impactful actions that shape the continent’s future. 

The Big Ideas Platform 2024 focuses on the crucial role of information technology and behaviour change in propelling Africa towards a better future.

Dr Amina, Faculty of SPPG, said, “We must remember that technology is a tool, and for a sustainable and enduring African Renaissance, we must reconsider how technology is harnessed to drive system change that benefits everyone, helping to shift behaviour from damaging to managing our scarce resources."

Key areas of focus at Big Ideas Platform 2024 will include:

  • Blockchain technology: This is premised on immutable records to protect legal tender such as academic certificates and to earn revenue. 
  • Virtual Reality: A four-dimensional visual experience of hard-to-reach places such as conflict zones to build awareness and empathy and inform accurate urgent action.  
  • Artificial intelligence: Non-animate machines trained to think and act like humans for humans, for example, identifying fake news. 
  • Environmental Awareness: Child-centred learning tools to shift children’s understanding of waste and its management to secure wealth and the environment.

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Our lineup of panellists for this year’s edition includes: 

Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, EdTech professional and Founder of Passnownow.com; Oluseun Badejo, Team Lead of SPPG Blockchain project; Mrs. Sian (Shan) Cuffy Young, Founder of Siel (Sigh-el) Environmental; and Ahmad Salkida, Investigative Reporter.

The event is open to the public, and registration is free. It will be a great opportunity to learn from thought leaders and professionals, who have the requisite knowledge about improving Africa’s economy and enhancing its development.  

Join us, let's co-create the Africa we need.

 

About the Big Ideas Platform: The Big Ideas Platform is a thought leadership initiative developed by the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance. With a focus on empowering African innovators and amplifying their voices, this platform aims to promote dialogue, collaboration, and action to address the pressing challenges faced by African communities. By highlighting transformative ideas, the Big Ideas Platform strives to facilitate inclusive growth, development, and the realization of the African Renaissance.

by Shona

SPPG Reflects on the Big Ideas of #BIP2023 and Unveils the Anticipated Big Ideas Platform 2024

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), in collaboration with the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Foundation, debuted the Big Ideas Platform (#BIP2023) on June 16, 2023  under the broad theme of "Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development". Five dynamic citizens of Africa whose ideas illuminated bold solutions that can enhance the quality of life in African communities shared a platform to tell a diverse audience the story of their big idea.

This pan-African intellectual convergence serves as a vibrant marketplace of ideas, bringing together exceptional minds to address the continent's challenges and chart a path towards inclusive growth and development.

Big Ideas Platform 2023: A Recap of Big Ideas of Forward-Thinking Africans Shared in 2023

Five dynamic citizens of Africa whose ideas illuminated bold solutions that can enhance the quality of life in African communities shared a platform to tell a diverse audience the story of their Big Ideas.

Here is a recap of the Big Ideas platformed in 2023:

  • Amal Hassan, Founder/CEO of Outsource Global, emphasized the significance of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) as a pivotal economic catalyst. She underscored BPO's role in generating millions of jobs in India and highlighted Nigeria's potential to replicate this success. With robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a constant influx of graduates with diverse skill sets, Hassan suggested that Nigeria has the capacity to harness BPO opportunities, cater to global demands while retaining her youths.

  • Adetola Onayemi, CEO of Norebase, highlighted the stark disparity between Africa's population share of 15% and its GDP contribution of only 3% globally. He emphasized the urgent need for strategies to bolster Africa's GDP and advocated for initiatives that not only foster continental prosperity but also contribute to the growth of global GDP, hence his big idea on Borderless Business

  • Ijeoma Akwiwu, Co-founder/COO of Pivo Africa, presented her big idea of building an end-to-end financial operating system for Africa's supply chain. Reflecting on the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwiwu underscored its profound impact on individuals and businesses, highlighting the urgent need for resilient financial systems capable of mitigating disruptions, hence her big idea.

  • Hamzat Lawal, Founder of CODE and Follow the Money, addressed the concept of "Factivism," combining activism with data-driven facts. Lawal recounted the tragic narrative of lead poisoning in Zamfara, where 700 children lost their lives and 1500 were left sick. He detailed how the #SaveBadega campaign, rooted in factivism, garnered significant attention and spurred governmental action in response to the urgent crisis.

  • Samson Ogbole, Farmer at Soilless Farm Lab, spoke on "Soilless Farming" for sustainable agriculture. Drawing attention to the aging demographic of Nigerian farmers, with an average age of approximately 60 years, Ogbole highlighted the concerning lack of interest among young people in agricultural pursuits. He emphasized the urgency of involving youths in agriculture to address the imminent challenge of an aging farming population and the adoption of soilless farming to ensure food security for the future.

These insightful discussions shed light on various critical themes, generating valuable insights and fostering a sense of shared purpose.

Big Ideas Platform 2024 is here!

[Click her to Register]

This year, our focus is on information technology and behaviour change. We invite you to join a panel of speakers addressing a diverse audience of policymakers, advocates, captains of industry, youth, schools, and community leadership on your insight. It is noteworthy to mention that this year, Toyosi Akerele, who as you know is a leading AI in public interest unicorn is a guest speaker at the Big Ideas Platform 2024.

Register now for #BIP2024 on our website: https://thesppg.org/bip2024

About the Big Ideas Platform: The Big Ideas Platform is a thought leadership initiative developed by the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance. With a focus on empowering African innovators and amplifying their voices, this platform aims to promote dialogue, collaboration, and action to address the pressing challenges faced by African communities. By highlighting transformative ideas, the Big Ideas Platform strives to facilitate inclusive growth, development, and the realization of the African Renaissance.

by Shona