SPPG to engage stakeholders on disruptive solutions for Africa development

The School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG) in partnership with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation has announced 2024 Big Ideas Platform to engage stakeholders in stimulating discussions and showcase bold ideas and disruptive solutions that can propel Africa toward a future of inclusive prosperity and sustainable development.

This thought leadership initiative, taking place on May 25th, 2024, will explore the theme “Information Technology and Behaviour Change”.

The event will gather leading intellectuals, policymakers, technocrats, and changemakers to engage in stimulating discussions and showcase bold ideas and disruptive solutions that can propel Africa toward a future of inclusive prosperity and sustainable development.

The Big Ideas Platform is an intellectual convergence of concepts, a marketplace of
ideas, where exceptional African minds convene to engage in robust conversations.

The platform will facilitate the sharing, generation, and collaboration of fresh ideas,
innovative solutions, and implementation strategies to address Africa’s plethora of
challenges.

The CEO of SPPG, Alero Ayida-Otobo, said, the Big Ideas Platform is a thought leadership initiative that serves as a platform for launching newthinking, spotlighting visionary individuals, and illuminating bold ideas that have the potential to improve the lives of African communities.”

According to her, the Big Ideas Platform will serve as a catalyst for change, fostering a
community of forward-thinking individuals committed to translating ideas into impactful
actions that shape the continent’s future.

The Big Ideas Platform 2024 focuses on the crucial role of information technology and
behaviour change in propelling Africa towards a better future.

Dr Amina, Faculty of SPPG, said, “We must remember that technology is a tool, and for
a sustainable and enduring African Renaissance, we must reconsider how technology is harnessed to drive system change that benefits everyone, helping to shift behaviour from damaging to managing our scarce resources.”

Key areas of focus at Big Ideas Platform 2024 will include: Blockchain technology: This is premised on immutable records to protect legal
tender such as academic certificates and to earn revenue.

“Virtual Reality is a four-dimensional visual experience of hard-to-reach places such as conflict zones to build awareness and empathy and inform accurate urgent action.”

“Artificial intelligence is non-animate machines trained to think and act like humans for humans, for example, identifying fake news.”

“Environmental awareness is a child-centred learning tools to shift children’s
understanding of waste and its management to secure wealth and the
environment.”

The lineup of panelists for this year’s edition includes: Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, EdTech professional and Founder of Passnownow.com;
Oluseun Badejo, Team Lead of SPPG Blockchain project; Mrs. Sian (Shan) Cuffy
Young, Founder of Siel (Sigh-el) Environmental; and Ahmad Salkida, Investigative
Reporter.

The event is open to the public, and registration is free. It will be a great opportunity to learn from thought leaders and professionals, who have the requisite knowledge about improving Africa’s economy and enhancing its development.

Building on the success of #BIP2023, the focus of this year’s event is on information technology and behavioral change. Scheduled for May 25, 2024, coinciding with Africa Day, the event will run from 9:00 AM to 12 PM WAT (GMT+1) at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja, with virtual participation via Zoom.