Episodes

  • World Youth Skill Day - Unlocking Opportunities: How AI and Digital Skills Can Empower the Next Generation of Youth in Nigeria

    World Youth Skill Day - Unlocking Opportunities: How AI and Digital Skills Can Empower the Next Generation of Youth in Nigeria
    Jul 15 2025
    World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on July 15, is a United Nations initiative aimed at celebrating the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The 2025 theme, “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” underscores the urgent need to prepare youth for a fast-evolving, technology-driven future. In Nigeria, where over 60% of the population is under 25, AI and digital technology offer transformative potential. From education to health, agriculture to governance, digital tools are rapidly reshaping how services are delivered and how young people live, learn, and work. Yet, this transformation also comes with growing concerns around digital inequality, unemployment, and the skills gap between the demands of the global economy and the training many young Nigerians currently receive. World Youth Skills Day 2025 emphasizes the growing need for young people to acquire future-ready skills—especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology—to thrive in the 21st-century economy. As the nature of work continues to evolve, digital transformation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for youth empowerment, especially in developing economies like Nigeria. As AI tools become more embedded in daily life—through automation, data analytics, and digital platforms—young people must not only be users, but also creators, innovators, and ethical leaders in the space. However, the reality is that many Nigerian youth lack access to quality training, internet infrastructure, or supportive ecosystems to fully benefit from these shifts. This podcast provides a platform to reflect on: •The current state of youth digital readiness in Nigeria, •The potential of AI and digital skills to drive inclusion, productivity, and innovation, •And the collaborative efforts needed from policymakers, educators, private sector, and youth themselves to close the digital divide.
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    33 mins
  • World MSME Day 2025: Strengthening Linkages in Nigeria’s MSME Ecosystem

    World MSME Day 2025: Strengthening Linkages in Nigeria’s MSME Ecosystem
    Jul 14 2025
    Today is World MSME Day 2025! Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the engine of Nigeria’s economy. Yet, many MSMEs still grapple with barriers like limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, weak market connections, and low digital inclusion. To commemorate the #MSMEDay2025, we’re spotlighting a special podcast discussion focused on how we can build stronger linkages between MSMEs, support institutions, and market players. This conversation dives into practical strategies and frameworks to better connect entrepreneurs across sectors, regions, and value chains — with the ultimate goal of driving sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience. 🎧 Tune in and be part of the movement to empower Nigeria’s MSMEs! #WorldMSMEDay #MSMEs #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveGrowth #NigeriaEconomy #NESG
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    42 mins
  • World Population Day 2025 - Empowering a Growing Nation: Youth Empowerment through Population Planning

    World Population Day 2025 - Empowering a Growing Nation: Youth Empowerment through Population Planning
    Jul 11 2025
    Nigeria stands at a demographic crossroads, with its youthful population offering both a tremendous opportunity and a potential challenge. As the nation’s population continues to grow rapidly, the need for evidence-based planning has never been more urgent. Youth unemployment, skills mismatch, and limited access to economic opportunities are persistent issues. However, with effective population planning, these challenges can be transformed into a demographic dividend. This podcast episode seeks to explore how population data and planning can drive smarter, evidence-based employment strategies and inclusive development policies. It will delve into the critical role of data-driven decision-making in aligning population trends with job creation, education, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment programs. Objectives: •To highlight the connection between population dynamics and national development. •To discuss how youth-focused policies can be better designed using population data. •To explore innovative approaches to employment creation that are aligned with Nigeria’s demographic realities.
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    34 mins
  • MSME Day 2025: Strengthening Linkages in Nigeria’s MSME Ecosystem

    MSME Day 2025: Strengthening Linkages in Nigeria’s MSME Ecosystem
    Jun 27 2025
    Today is World MSME Day 2025! Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the engine of Nigeria’s economy. Yet, many MSMEs still grapple with barriers like limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, weak market connections, and low digital inclusion. To commemorate the #MSMEDay2025, we’re spotlighting a special podcast discussion focused on how we can build stronger linkages between MSMEs, support institutions, and market players. This conversation dives into practical strategies and frameworks to better connect entrepreneurs across sectors, regions, and value chains — with the ultimate goal of driving sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience. 🎧 Tune in and be part of the movement to empower Nigeria’s MSMEs! #WorldMSMEDay #MSMEs #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveGrowth #NigeriaEconomy #NESG
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    42 mins
  • World Food Safety Day: The Science Behind Your Meal

    World Food Safety Day: The Science Behind Your Meal
    Jun 6 2025
    Food safety is a public health and development priority. This year’s theme “Food Safety: Science in Action” highlights the urgent need to strengthen food systems through research, innovation, and science-based regulation. On this episode, we speak with Nicholas Alifa, PhD Researcher in Food Science at the University of Reading, on the role of science in building safer, more resilient food systems. Moderated by Stephen Daniel, Senior Associate, Think Tank Operations, NESG
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    41 mins
  • World Environment Day 2025: Unwrapping the Plastic Problem

    World Environment Day 2025: Unwrapping the Plastic Problem
    Jun 4 2025
    This World Environment Day 2025, we’re confronting a growing crisis. Plastic waste is choking our cities, polluting our waters, and threatening public health. To mark the 2025 campaign themed “Ending Plastic Pollution”, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) brings you a special podcast episode featuring a powerful conversation on solutions for Nigeria. Engr. Nyananso Ekanem and Dr. Femi Idowu-Adegoke unpack the scale of the problem and explore bold strategies for change — from policy to innovation — in a session moderated by Stephen Daniel.
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    48 mins
  • NESG-Stanbic IBTC BCM Report: How New Business Challenges Slowed Growth and Dampened Business Outlook in 2025

    NESG-Stanbic IBTC BCM Report: How New Business Challenges Slowed Growth and Dampened Business Outlook in 2025
    May 5 2025
    The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Stanbic IBTC released the March 2025 edition of the monthly Business Confidence Monitor Report. This report provides vital insights into the current business climate in Nigeria, including the levels of optimism, challenges, and economic indicators influencing business operations. As a key gauge of the private sector’s perception of the economy, the Business Confidence Monitor offers an invaluable lens through which businesses, policymakers, and investors can assess current conditions and anticipate future trends. Businesses in Nigeria reported a sustained positive business for the third consecutive month in 2025, signalling favourable business conditions in the year. As a result, the current Business Performance Index for March 2025 stands at +6.58, a weakly positive business performance and a slight decline compared to +11.50 points in February 2025. Although not the top challenge this month, the high cost of commercial lease/rental property remains among the top three business challenges in the last two months. Other top-ranking business challenges include inadequate power supply, limited access to financing, and economic uncertainties.
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    43 mins
  • World Health Day 2025: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures

    World Health Day 2025: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures
    Apr 7 2025
    In alignment with the World Health Day 2025 theme—Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures—our new podcast episode, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures: Ending Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths, is now live! Tune in as we spotlight the urgent need for governments and the global health community to intensify efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths while prioritising women's long-term health and well-being. 🎧 Key discussion areas include: • The State of Maternal and Newborn Health in Nigeria • Access to Quality Care and Health System Strengthening • Equity, Community Engagement, and Cultural Barriers • Innovation, Data, and Accountability Featuring esteemed health sector experts, this powerful discussion offers valuable insights into the challenges, policy recommendations, and innovative strategies shaping the future of maternal and newborn health in Nigeria and beyond.
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    1 hr and 2 mins