Prof. Ifelunini to deliver keynote at Advocate Annual Lecture

Nathan Tamaraoreye, Yenagoa

Prof. Abanum Ifelunini of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been chosen keynote speaker for the Second Edition of the Advocate Publication Ltd. Annual Lecture Series.

Mr Shedrack Onitsha, Secretary-General of the Advocate Publication Lecture Series Board of Council (ALSBC), disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Warri.

Onitsha said that Ifelunini, a renowned development economist, would do justice to the topic, “Between Governance and Politics: The Delicate Balancing to Ensure Growth and Development.”

He said that the event was slated for April 25, 2025, at Wetland Hotel Ughelli in Delta State.

Onitsha said that the lecture would stimulate critical conversations on the intersection of governance and politics and how to manage the relationship to foster sustainable national growth.

He added that this year’s lecture promised to offer invaluable insights into how governance and politics could be harmonized for national development.

Speaking on the choice of the keynote speaker, Mr Abraham Obodo, Chairman of the ALSBC and former Editor of The Guardian Newspaper, expressed confidence in the choice of Prof. Ifelunini.

Ogbodo described Prof. Ifelunini as a leading voice in development economics with vast academic and practical experience in governance, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

“Prof. Ifelunini brings with him an impressive academic and professional pedigree. An alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

“He holds a B.Sc (Ed) degree in Economics, alongside a Postgraduate Diploma, M.Sc, and PhD degrees in Development Economics.

“He is currently a Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Resource & Environmental Policy Research Centre, Environment for Development Initiative (EfD), Nigeria.

“He has been an influential figure in the fields of economic policy, governance, and environmental economics since 2013,” he said.

The former editor said that the research and professional engagements of the university don spanned collaborations with international and national institutions.

According to him, such institutions comprise: the World Bank, the African Economic Research Consortium, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Geographic Society, and the Swedish International Development Agency.

Ogbodo said that the professor has served in various capacities, including Program Specialist at the Central Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Development Centre (South East Nigeria), Coordinator of the Postgraduate program at UNN’s Department of Economics, and Director of the University of Nigeria Transport Route (UNTransroute).

He also said that Prof. Ifelunini was an external examiner and professorial assessor for several universities within and outside Nigeria.

“He is currently leading a research grant on Agro Feminisation, Climate Smart Agriculture Technology Adoption and Food Security: Evidence from Nigeria Panel Data funded by Akademiya 2063.

“Prof. Ifelunini has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, many of which are indexed in Thomson Reuters (Clarivate Analytics) and SCOPUS.

“He has presented over 30 papers at local and international conferences, including in Nairobi, Dakar, Johannesburg, and Abidjan,” he said.

Ogbodo said that this second edition of the Advocate annual series would attract scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, students, and the public interested in Nigeria’s development agenda.