Frontier Matters

We had the pleasure of recording an episode with Carlos Barragán, the author of the new and excellent book, Yahoo Boys . We tried to get into some thoughts and ideas that did not make into the book and dive deeper into some of the characters he profiled. Carlos is very thoughtful and considered and, while much of the book is sober and even sad, it is a very useful commentary on some of Nigeria’s m...

Today on Frontier Matters, we sit down with Chris Ihidero, a multi-hyphenate storyteller whose career spans television, film, radio, and journalism. Coming through the Amaka Igwe ecosystem, Chris has written and directed an extraordinary volume of landmark television while remaining one of Nollywood's most honest and constructive critics. As he moves into feature filmmaking with his highly anticip...

Welcome to a special live edition of Frontier Matters, recorded in Lagos on May 11, 2026, in front of a small audience. In this episode, we sat down with Funso Doherty, an investment professional and public-policy advocate who has emerged as one of the most persistent opposition voices scrutinising Lagos State's governance. As he prepares for the 2027 gubernatorial race, we interrogate his vision...

The global conversation obsessively tracks what China is  doing  in Africa – building ports, extracting minerals, lending infrastructure loans. But almost no one is asking the harder, more strategic question:  what does it take for Africa to actually sell into China? In this episode of  Frontier Matters , we flip the script. We sit down with Hannah Ryder – one of the leading China-Africa policy ex...

Despite immense expertise and foreign aid, billions remain in poverty. In this episode of Frontier Matters, Efosa Ojomo - co-author of The Prosperity Paradox - joins us to discuss the wishful thinking surrounding global development. Episode Highlights: The Reality of Poverty Reduction: Exploring why World Bank data shows poverty reduction grinding to a halt, and whether development theories have u...

Description: Haiti is constantly reduced to superficial headlines of chaos, but the reality is grounded in hard historical and economic facts. In this episode, economist Carl-Henri Prophète provides an unfiltered look at the structural realities driving the nation's current collapse. What we cover: The Ground Reality: Surviving and moving goods in a fragmented state, beyond the abstract label of "...

Professor Don Robotham is a long-time friend of the house at 1914 Reader — and a formidable authority on the Caribbean, Jamaica in particular, and the economics of development across both the Caribbean and Africa. In this episode, we sit down with him for a wide-ranging conversation covering the historical legacy of slavery, the critical distinction between growth and economic development, and wha...

We sat down with Dan Wang, author of the bestselling Breakneck , to talk about China and what an "engineering state" is in the longer developmental-state tradition. We also talked about the Soviet Union and electric vehicles. Hope you enjoy the episode

We sat down with Chude Jideonwo to talk media, politics, depression and what it means to be successful and to do it very early in life. It was a wide ranging discussion that synthesised his knowledge from 25 years of working and building in the public eye in Nigeria and across the world. And we ended with him reading a passage from his new book - How Depression Saved My Life (available to buy at t...

Hello! It’s been a minute. In this episode, we discuss the cultural and economic implications of the Detty December phenomenon in Nigeria, exploring how tourism, inflation, and governance intersect. We talk about the challenges posed by inadequate public infrastructure, the complexities of recent tax reforms, and the cultural dynamics that influence Nigeria’s economic landscape. We also explore va...

What is modernity in the African context and why does Africa need to be modern? We sat down with the philosopher, Professor Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò for a wide ranging discussion on his book, Africa Must Be Modern . We also discussed the nature of knowledge and education and the role it can play in a modern Africa. This was quite a deep conversation that left a deep impression on us. We hope you enjoy it to...

There is no better way to ground this Detty December than with a clear look at the evolution of Nigeria’s art scene. Adenrele Sonariwo sits down with us to map out the past, present, and future of the industry. We discuss the impact of Rele Galler(ies), the Young Contemporaries, and break down exactly what it takes to support talent on the path to global success. We hope you enjoy the episode This...

Tobi and I examine what we believe is the real “China Shock”: the redirection of export demand that might otherwise have gone to the United States toward Nigeria and other markets. We trace the economic and geopolitical consequences of that shift and outline practical policy and strategic responses a country like Nigeria could adopt to capture opportunity and manage disruption. Key topics covered...

We (Tobi and Feyi) sat down to discuss President Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and what it says about Nigeria’s trajectory over the last two decades. We also touched on F.O.O.D and tried to get into the reasons why the relationship between the government and the governed in Nigeria is so antagonistic to the point where the welfare of citizens is alm...

We sat down with Oyeronke Oyebanji for a very illuminating conversation on the inner workings of public health in Nigeria and across Africa. The conversation covered Covid-19, Lassa fever and what it will take to manufacture vaccines in Africa. This was a wide ranging conversation by a real subject matter expert who brought her real world experience to bear. Hope you enjoy it! This is a public epi...

If you missed our Live Conversation on October 1st, the video is now up. We discussed all things Nigeria after 65 years of independence. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe

In this episode, we’re joined by Bright Simons - renowned innovator, policy thinker, and President of mPedigree - for a candid conversation on the limits of leapfrogging in frontier markets. Bright challenges prevailing narratives and offers a grounded analysis of why certain development models fail to deliver transformative impact. Our discussion expands into the geopolitics of critical minerals...

Most people know Odun Eweniyi as a powerhouse tech founder - one third of the team behind PiggyVest, and a self-proclaimed “tech bro.” But beyond the savings goals, she’s deeply curious about how culture shapes the way young people think about and use money. In this episode, we dive into the unexpected intersection of rave culture, nightlife, and personal finance. Odun shares insights on where to...

We pick up our series on the fast-arriving future of AI and ask what it means for Nigeria and the wider continent - especially for countries not yet positioned to shape the technology. This episode unpacks China’s new “AI Plus” strategy, which aims to turn AI into everyday infrastructure across the economy and the state. We explore what a very practical approach to AI could mean for African countr...

By “popular demand”, we decided to do a podcast on the book review that has proven to be quite popular on 1914 Reader. Thank you all for reading and subscribing We discussed some things that couldn’t fit into the review and why books like this are important, regardless of the actual content. And then we finished off with a short meditation on fatherhood. Hope you enjoy. P.S. Here’s the article on...

It’s just Tobi and Feyi in the studio this week, diving into a conversation that started with a simple question: How could AI actually transform Nigeria - and Africa more broadly? We kicked things off with education, wandered through infrastructure, and ended up talking about cement. Hope you enjoy the episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get a...

Three years on from The Time-Travelling Economist , we sit down with Charlie Robertson to ask: how has the shifting global landscape altered his outlook? From demographic booms to education surges, which countries are now on his radar? Why does he see 2042 as a pivotal year for Nigeria - and what explains his tempered view on Thailand’s trajectory? All of that and a lot more in this fun episode! T...

Tobi sat down with Michel Deelen , the Dutch Consul General to Nigeria, in Lagos for a discussion on the intersection between trade, business and diplomacy. There was also time for cover music and food. Hope you enjoy listening. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.1914reader.com/subscribe

We had a friend of the house on the podcast to talk through what might be considered the bull case for Nigeria after a traumatic couple of years for the economy. It is never an easy case to make for investing in Nigeria but Fola is very clear eyed and realistic about the opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s most populous economies. We certainly enjoyed making this one and we hope you do so...

We had the privilege of sitting down with Professor A.G. Hopkins. If you have been with us here on 1914 Reader for a while, you will recall we did a read-along of his latest book, Capitalism in the Colonies here last year . Professor Hopkins was kind enough to give us his time even when technology failed while recording multiple times. We apologise in advance for any audio issues you might have wh...