On the 4th and 5th of October 2023, Agora Policy hosted its second workshop on Policy Analysis and Advocacy in Lagos, Nigeria, following an initial session in Abuja.
Supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the workshop equipped about 60 participants across civil society, the media, government and research institutions with the tools and knowledge needed to undertake evidence-based policy analysis and advocacy within Nigeria’s policy landscape.
The workshop opened with remarks from Mr Waziri Adio, Executive Director/Founder, Agora Policy and Dr. Kole Shettima, Country Director, MacArthur Foundation, both espousing the need for policymaking backed by evidence and data.
Participants were then introduced to evidence-based policy analysis and advocacy through various political and economic lenses by experts such as Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director, The Policy Innovation Centre; Prof Tunji Olaopa, founder of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy; Dr Mohammed Shuaibu, University of Abuja and Dr Maryam Quadri, University of Lagos. The participants also analysed the first out of two case studies given prior to the workshop, in a session facilitated by Mr Waziri Adio.
The second and final day of the workshop saw participants delve into the practical aspects of policy analysis and advocacy. Beginning with an analysis of the second case study, participants were able to discuss the influence of data on policymaking. Attendees were privileged to hear about frontline policy advocacy experiences from Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Youth Development and Sport and Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, who both shared key insights into navigating the politics of public policy. This was followed by Dr Maryam Quadri of the University of Lagos taking participants through policy research and analysis.
For the group assignments, participants were tasked with analysing data sets and presented evidence-based policy recommendations to address various national issues, wrapping up two days of impactful learning.
