Policy Without Politics

In this episode, Our hosts Mustafa Chike Obi and Dr Ken Ikpe examine the historical context of the military decree, the centralization of land ownership, and its severe implications for capital formation, the housing deficit, mortgage financing, and broader economic development. Discover why economists argue that the Land Use Act acts as a critical bottleneck to Nigeria's GDP growth and explore ac...

In this episode, our hosts Mustafa Chike Obi and Dr Ken Ikpe break down the realities of Nigeria's foreign reserves, moving past emotional economics to analyze the core mechanics of how the Central Bank manages liquidity, foreign obligations, and the true cost of reserve maintenance. We examine the delicate balance between stabilizing the currency and fostering industrial growth, the impact of hig...

In this episode, Hosts Mustafa Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Onyeali critically examine how the Assets Management Corporation Of Nigeria (AMCON) was conceived as a special-purpose vehicle to rescue Nigeria's financial system following systemic banking crises, bad loan acquisitions, and macroeconomic volatility. They unpack the intricate design behind AMCON's mandate, evaluating its dual objective of purch...

Tax collection that lacks visible public value serves as a primary driver of civil resistance. In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Hosts Mustafa Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe analyze Nigeria's overarching tax policy, examining the delicate equilibrium between aggressive revenue generation and sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, the discussion underscores why absolute transparency regard...

True growth requires us to look forward rather than clinging to outdated industries, demanding bold leadership that embraces global competitiveness. To unlock Nigeria's next wave of economic potential, we must pivot toward modern strategies such as establishing a dedicated Ministry of Investment and Innovation and ensuring leadership appointments are driven strictly by merit and rigorous selection...

Policy Without Politics is nothing without your perspective. In this episode, we review and respond to the wave of listener feedback covering our most discussed topics, from government reforms to the realities of the Nigerian economy. Join us as we keep the dialogue honest and grounded. Listen to the full discussion today.

This episode analyses the foundations of national economic development, examining state spending, strategic savings, and high-yield investment. Our hosts Mustafa Chike-Obi and Dr. ken Ikpe critically explore the misallocation of public funds, the flaws of resource-dependent economies, and the importance of economic sequencing, offering a rigorous perspective on long-term transformation. What econo...

In this episode, our hosts Mustapha Chike-Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe tackle whether Nigeria has a cohesive, overarching foreign policy, examining how diplomatic postures shift across global powers and why the lack of a clear strategy disadvantages the nation. We also look at bridging institutional experience with innovation, and how to better organize presidential trips and trade delegations for tangibl...

In this special episode of Policy Without Politics, we are deeply honoured to host former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate, Donald Duke. Before the cameras even started rolling, Governor Duke shared a hilarious and candid behind-the-scenes moment about his famous 20-year-old nickname and how his titles are regulated. Get ready for an insightful, engaging, and thoroughly entert...

What happens when the audience gets a chance to respond? In this episode of Policy Without Politics, we’re putting your voices at the centre of the conversation. From comments and opinions shared on our social media to the questions and criticisms sparked by previous episodes, we’re taking a closer look at what Nigerians think about the policies shaping their everyday lives. We’re reading your com...

This episode offers a critical look at economic management and policy communication in Nigeria. We evaluate how the government has historically failed to explain the absence of subsidies, leading to widespread public confusion despite a growing national awareness. The discussion shifts toward the harsh mathematics of a devalued currency and challenges current resource allocation, contrasting the v...

Can Nigeria ever resolve its chronic power crisis? In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken tackle the hard truths about electricity generation, distribution failures, and the unsustainable burden of government subsidies. The discussion offers an uncompromising look at why market-driven incentives and private enterprise must replace state-managed models if the country is t...

Nigeria is home to two of the most ambitious private investments in its history, the Dangote Refinery and the Eko Atlantic project. But are they receiving the same level of government support, scrutiny and policy attention? In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken examine the policies surrounding these landmark projects, how government decisions have influenced their devel...

Can Nigeria realistically hit the $1 trillion economy target, or does the ambition demand a fundamental recalibration of policy? In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken dissect the mechanics of national growth, bridging the gap between political rhetoric and fiscal reality. They examine where infrastructure, human capital, and regulatory efficiency must intersect for the...

In this thought-provoking episode of Policy without Policy, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken dive deep into the heart of Nigerian sports administration. A discerning evaluation reveals deep-seated structural flaws where infrastructural development consistently takes a backseat to questionable financial distribution. True reform requires moving past superficial metrics to address how institutional priorities...

Nigeria is producing more graduates, expanding access to education and investing billions in the sector, but where are the jobs? In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe Onyeali examine one of the most important but often overlooked problems in Nigeria’s education system: the widening gap between the number of people being educated and the number of productive opportu...

Nigeria isn’t short on talent it’s short on economic structure. What happens if we stop treating sports and the creative economy like "side hustles" or entertainment and start treating them like core national revenue drivers? In today’s brand new episode, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe break down why Nigeria’s massive youth demographic is our biggest economic leverage point and what it will actually t...

Why do African football teams consistently lose focus in the final minutes of a match? In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken break down the "86th-minute phenomenon" and explain why sports must be treated as a serious multi-billion dollar business engine for GDP growth rather than just physical education. #PWP #Governance #Policy #Politics #ChikeObiDrKen

True national security starts with a booming economy. In this episode of Policy Without Politics, Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe explain why the National Economic Adviser holds the key to unlocking Nigeria's potential. From analyzing historical GDP trends to outlining why this role requires total independence from the Ministry of Finance, we deliver an honest, data-backed look at how governance should...

In this episode of Policy Without Politics (PWP), Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe take on one of Nigeria’s biggest development questions: Is Nigeria’s problem bad policy, poor implementation, or something deeper? From fuel subsidy removal to electricity pricing, health insurance, education, IMF advice, telecoms, exchange rates, and social safety nets, this conversation explores why many Nigerian polici...

Every policy is made on paper, but it lands on people’s lives. Too often, the gap between grand promises and everyday reality is enormous. In this introductory episode of Policy Without Politics (PWP), Mustafa Chike Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe launch a new conversation: why well-intentioned economic, development, and governance policies frequently fail to deliver, and what it really takes to bridge the d...