By Olagoke Quadri
Transforming Nigeria’s Economic Landscape by Kazeem Ademola Adio is a thought-provoking and policy-oriented book that examines how Nigeria, as a brand in the global international market, can reposition itself for sustainable economic growth and stronger competitiveness. The author combines concepts from economics, strategic management, nation branding, digital transformation, trade policy and governance to propose practical pathways for national development. He argues that a more diversified, competitive, effective leadership, stronger integration, and globally integrated economic reforms can stimulate investment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth for Nigeria.
Typically, a policy-oriented book bores the reader. But the author manages this problem by avoiding arcane diction. He also uses references and examples that the lay reader can relate to. Just like I found this book illuminating, I believe whoever reads it would equally gain a lot of insight into Nigeria’s role within the milieu of the global international market.
While I believe this book satisfied some of my curiosities, it also explores the challenges the government faces in its efforts to position Nigeria’s economy among its sister nations. Broadly speaking, the author touches on a few areas on how to transform the Nigerian economy:
1. Ethical branding: The author’s opinion advances the idea that a nation’s reputation cannot be improved through marketing alone. It must be built on transparency, accountability and sustainability. These are the practices that attract investors and international partnerships.
2. The brain drain (Japa) phenomenon: The author argues that a nation can face a worse economic downfall with the migration of its skilled professionals. While he acknowledges that diaspora remittances contribute significantly to the economy, they cannot replace the loss of critical skills in sectors such as education, healthcare and other pillars of development. He advocates for the government to improve working conditions as part of efforts to reverse the trend from brain drain to brain gain or japa to japada, as they say in colloquial parlance.
3. Focus on digital economy and investment promotion: Kazeem also highlights the importance of data analytics and mapping digital marketing campaigns to ensure Nigeria’s presence to compete globally for investment, tourism, and technological innovation.
There are other areas the author touches on. The lay reader, intellectually curious and the policy wonk would go away having learned a few things about the global economic order and Nigeria’s role within it. This isn’t just another intervention. There are recommendations for the government, the private sector, think tanks, policy analysts, educational and other knowledge-producing institutions, international and regional organisations, and even the electorate. Certainly, the job of transforming Nigeria’s economic landscape demands a whole-of-society approach. This is the blueprint Kazeem Ademola Adio has beautifully laid out.
You can order a copy of Transforming Nigeria’s Economic Landscape here.
Quadri is a social commentator. He writes from Abuja. He can be reached via: achieverolagoke@gmail.com
I have read through the book, “Transforming Nigeria Economic Landscape” and I must commend the writer, Kazeem Ademola Adio. He did a fantastic job as he surgically analyze the problems facing the Nigeria economy.
While I read through the book, something came to my mind, does the author really think Nigeria policy makers can absolutely transform the economy of this country? But as I read further, I am convinced that he absolutely proffered solutions to the economic challenges of the Nigeria economic dimension. The best the Nigeria policy makers can adopt to reshape the economic landscape of the country.
All thanks to the Author…
I applaud Prince Kazeem Ademola Adio for the great job he did , I am really not surprised because he has always been outstanding. Nigeria is blessed to have highly prepared and brilliant people like him. He made very solid points in his book, I highly recommend everyone especially our leaders to read this book. Prince Kazeem Adio’s ideas can give Nigeria an effective face wash and attract investors if our system is sanitized first, the societies also need to be re-educated because we can’t rebrand or rebuild our nation on a foundation eaten up by corruption, nepotism .e.t.c.
While reading through the book, a thought came to my mind.
Does the write believe the Nigeria economic policy makers know exactly how to dissect the economic problems of the country? If yes, why is the economy keeps declining and businesses suffering or dying everyday?
But as I further to read to beat my curiosity, I realized that the author surgically analyzed the challenges facing the Nigeria economy and provide solutions to them.
If the Nigeria economic policy makers can key and adopt this book, it will be worthwhile to challenge the economic downfall of the country.