The Policy Vault Insights and Opinions

Presidential Candidates and Their Lofty Plans 

Ahead of this year’s general elections in Nigeria, presidential candidates have released their manifestos to tackle a host of issues from the economy and energy to national security. In this article we explore each of these three pillars—economy, energy, and national security—in depth.

A New Approach to Addressing Nigeria’s Malnutrition Challenge

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of nutrition, combating malnutrition in all its forms at both national and subnational levels requires a holistic approach that is multisectoral. Multisectoral collaboration for food and nutrition can pull together all stakeholders in relevant issue areas to ensure a better understanding of the situation, come up with solutions, and take broader actions against malnutrition in the country. That is the rationale behind the adoption of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) analyzed in this article.

Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: policy options to address voter apathy

Historical data indicate low citizen participation in voting since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999. The data reveal that while Nigerians consistently participate in voter registration, they are less enthusiastic about casting their votes on election day. In 2019, for example, the country recorded the lowest voter turnout in Africa, despite the increase in registered voters. Voter apathy is even more evident in the National Assembly representative elections; more Nigerians participate in presidential and gubernatorial elections than in the National Assembly and the local government elections. As the country prepares for the general elections next year, actions need to be taken by stakeholders to improve and ensure active citizen participation in the electoral processes.

Africa's Priorities and the New U.S. Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa 

The Biden administration recently announced a new US strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa. The strategy aims to redesign US engagement with the region given the growing global influence of the continent. The announced strategy can be seen as an effort to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the continent at a time where the White House fears an evolution of African countries’ relations with China and Russia.

Ruto’s Time, What Should Kenyans Expect?

Ruto and the coalition (Kenya Kwanza) behind him have made it clear that his administration is committed to empowering people at the base of the economic pyramid, who he refers to as – ‘the hustler’. He is keen on establishing a government that supports the political inclusion and empowerment of all Kenyans. Through his bottom-up economic model, he has pledged to bring down the cost of living, expand the tax base, create jobs, and improve foreign exchange balance with the expectation to transform key areas.

2023 National Elections: What can we learn from Osun and Ekiti’s elections?

The 2023 Nigerian general election is critical for many Nigerians, especially considering the current economic, social, and political crises. Most Nigerians see the upcoming elections as an opportunity to elect leaders that will tackle current national issues such as fuel scarcity, insecurity, high unemployment and inflation. Recently concluded elections in Osun and Ekiti provide insights on issues that will likely characterize the 2023 national elections.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement: The Next Big Thing?

Political Parties, Presidential Candidates and the Electoral Act 2022

African Countries Climate Response Plans