Agora Policy Graduates First Cohort of Policy Writing Fellowship

FCT, Abuja – On 30th April 2025, Agora Policy graduated the first cohort of its Policy Writing Fellowship, which is designed to deepen the capacity of the participating fellows to originate, research and write evidence-based and compelling policy papers and to contribute to data-driven, context-appropriate, and impact-oriented approach to policymaking and implementation in Nigeria.

The three-month fellowship was implemented with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, under the Policy Support, Deepening, and Engagement (PSDE) project of Agora Policy. The fellowship was delivered through a series of physical and virtual workshops and experience-sharing, culminating in the production of policy papers by the fellows, with guidance from their assigned supervisors. Eighteen fellows, drawn from a diverse background, completed the programme.

Held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the event commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Ojobo Atuluku, the Chair of the Board of Agora Policy, who noted that there is a shortage of policy specialists and analysts in Nigeria, and that initiatives like the fellowship would make significant contributions to policy discourse and governance. This was followed by goodwill messages from distinguished guests. First was Dr. Kole Shettima, the Country Director of the MacArthur Foundation, who described the fellowship as a vital and timely initiative addressing a critical gap in Nigeria’s policy space. He commended Agora Policy for bringing this much-needed training closer to home and reiterated the importance of these foundational skills in governance. The CEO of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, congratulated the graduating class and stated that governance and policymaking require craftsmanship. He encouraged the fellows to keep refining this skill.

Adding a broader perspective, Dr. Joe Abah, the Country Director of DAI, delivered a keynote address titled “Public Policy and Human Development”. He stressed the importance of clear thinking, consultation and evidence in policymaking and described them as essential tools for driving and delivering transformative development outcomes.

In presenting the fellowship’s objectives and outcomes, Mr. Waziri Adio (the founder of Agora Policy) offered an overview of the programme’s conception, which is designed to get the fellows to learn by doing. He commended the fellows for their dedication and the quality of their submissions despite the limited time and competing demands. He encouraged them to continue to deepen their understanding of politics, economics, and data as foundations for sound policy analysis.

The supervisors—Professor Babajide Fowowe, Dr. Leena Hoffmann, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Mr. Adio—shared their experience of working with the fellows and urged them to remain consistent, inquisitive, and driven. Other special guests further enriched the event by offering practical insights from their careers in policy advisory roles. Dr. Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor, a gender equality expert, who has written extensively for Agora Policy, provided practical tips on effective policy writing; while Dr. Kabir Adamu, founder of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited and also a contributor to Agora Policy, underscored the importance of integrity in policy work and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in policy research and analysis. The event was also graced by esteemed guests, including Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chair of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspapers, Mr. Amara Nwankpa, Acting Director General of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, and Mr. Olalekam Saidi, a finance expert.

The event concluded with each fellow sharing insights from their policy papers and reflections on their fellowship journey. The fellows noted that the programme had been both rigorous and rewarding, helping them build confidence and sharpen their policy writing skills. The fellows were thereafter awarded their certificates.

About 250 individuals applied for the fellowship, out of which 20 were competitively selected, and 18 graduated. The graduating members of the first cohort of the Policy Writing Fellowship are: Mr. Martins Abantlehe, Ms. Faidat Abdullahi, Mr. Stephen Agwaibor, Ms. Priscilla Airohi, Ms. Khadijat Akewushola, Ms. Theola Amiokhaibhor, Mr. Jesse Attah-Olottah, Mr. Victor Ejechi, Mr. Adesoji Farayibi, Mr. Godiya Haruna, Mr. Hope Lekwa, Ms. Amina Miango, Ms. Ruth Okafor, Dr. Lynda-Uta Okon, Dr.Foluke Olatoye, Mr. Abdulhaleem Ringim, Ms. Aisha Suleiman and Lady Ejiro Umukoro.

Below are some of the personalities at the event: