In 2011, Oluseun Onigbinde founded public data visualization platform called BudgIT, which allows anyone to access information about the Nigerian government’s budget and expenditures. BudgIT as a tool aims to redefine participatory governance. It allows all Nigerians to understand complex public data sets through infographics, interactive websites, and games. Oluseun is also a consultant at …
Globally, December 9th marks the International Anti-corruption Day. Every nation renews its commitment to fighting corruption on this day, and Nigeria usually does not miss out in some of its blitz. A bit of parade goes on, with face caps, buttoned shirts and nice speeches never missing from staged government events. Most times, I hear …
The recession in Nigeria, announced in July by finance minister Kemi Adeosun and confirmed when the National Bureau of Statistics subsequently published figures showing a 2.06% dip in economic growth, is indicative of the country’s vulnerability to the vagaries of oil. When oil prices started to tumble in mid-2014, the government – its sights set on the following year’s …
Nigeria is facing existential questions that run even deeper than its current economic recession. The downturn, confirmed in data released on August 31, presents an opportunity for Africa’s biggest economy to change course. It’s time to wean Nigeria from oil, propping up new growth poles in agriculture, light manufacturing and technology. The Nigerian economy contracted by …
I was 9 years old when Nelson Mandela was sent to prison on Robben Island. As a boy, I learned about him in school, and I remember seeing reports about the anti-Apartheid movement on the evening news. Decades later, I got to meet him and work with him. In person he was even more inspiring …