Oluyomi Ola-David Insights

It feels good to be through with a course of study, and be convinced that you have added significantly, however little, to the body of knowledge. This post is dedicated to sharing the synopsis of my doctoral thesis. Of course the search for answers to the myriad real world and research problems goes on.  I am grateful to my esteemed thesis supervisors and every other person who contributed to the success of the research process. In sum, the study advocates that domestic firm absorptive capacity (preparation) is necessary for the presence of foreign firms (opportunity) to be socially beneficial and productivity enhancing. By way of introduction, the manufacturing sector has been recognised as an engine of growth, industrial and technological advancement for developing countries. Amongst other things, foreign direct investment (FDI) is sought as a propeller of industrial productivity growth and technology spillovers. However, a rising trend of FDI flow to Nigeria and a con

Even though conventional wisdom upholds the notion that rapid economic growth would generate more jobs, the laudable growth rate of the Nigerian economy has been accompanied by a worsening in human development, poverty, inequality and unemployment. Furthermore, while economic policies are expected to impact positively on employment, Nigeria’s employment policies seem to have done little to fill the ever-widening employment gap.  Besides, a gendered analysis of Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape indicates that women tend to fare worse than men on many of the employment indicators; yet, no society’s prosperity story can ever be told without recourse to the contribution of women. These paradoxical scenarios call for inquiry. I n a recent discourse paper , I and Oyebanke of Columbia University provide an exposition on Nigeria’s employment situation vis-à-vis her trajectory of p olicy choices since independence. Stirred by the cliché ‘ development that is not engendered is en

It is not only of 7Up’s taste that we can say   ‘the difference is clear’ , we can also say same of the Nigerian police barracks in contrast with military/naval/air force (MNA) barracks.  Sometimes, irrespective of their location, the physical state of police residential buildings and adjoining environment is deplorable, with pockets of disorganized vendors and poor waste management systems.  On the better hand, MNA residential areas have relatively cleaner environments, better maintained buildings and organized trading areas. As a development economist, I am bothered that this ‘physical’ differential may be a signal to more serious social welfare issues. Having keenly observed this disturbing real world phenomenon over a few years, there are some intriguing questions which I hope research and policy can address in the days to come: What is the extent of income and welfare differentials among different categories of the Nigerian armed forces? What accounts for the di

Undoubtedly, Africa has a young population and one of the fastest rates of natural increase in the world. According to UN-DESA, while most European countries are at zero population growth rates, Oceania at 1.7 percent and Latin America at 1.1 percent, the average annual population growth in Africa was about 2.5 percent as at 2013.  Of all the challenges of having a young population, that of unemployment is most visible and impactful on the social and economic environment. Owing to the low labour absorption rates of the organized private sector in developing countries, most unemployed youths who migrate to cities in search of ‘greener’ pastures find solace in the urban informal sector – for livelihood.  These youths either rove busy urban streets or sit by sidewalks in make-shift shacks to sell their wares; this they continue to do, despite their daily   exposure to hazards   – accidents, harassment by law enforcement agents, arrest, confiscation of wares   and the attendant   i

The socio-economic effects of emerging trends in foreign direct investment (especially in resources) have received much attention in media reports, academic literature and policy briefs in recent times.  To cite an instance, the 2014 Africa Progress Panel report highlights the current and potential roles of land and water resources in the structural transformation of African economies.  Following the 2007/08 food security crisis and increased drive towards alternative energy sources, several countries (including China, the world’s most populous country) have purportedly sought investment in land resource abundant countries (mostly Africa) for agricultural use amongst other things.  Besides, the writing of experts on the study of Sino-African relations, notably Deborah Brautigam, is due to be acknowledged. In a recent discourse paper I contributed to debunking some myths surrounding Chinese land grab in Africa. As against pessimistic perspectives that focus on the potenti

From childhood, I have been averse to the sight of folks throwing out packs of recently consumed items from moving vehicles (from rickety buses/cars to posh cars!) or as they pass by along sidewalks.  I still recall how loud my (mind) protests were, sometimes giving a ‘bad eye’ to the unsuspecting culprits. It always agitated my young mind, anytime I passed by a street corner or highway and saw consequences of individual actions – heaps of dirt.  Paradoxically, those of us who tend to litter our noble environment will likely be first to scream at the press or say offhandedly that the government is responsible for our roadside rubbish.  Oh! Who is the government? The physical structures that make up the federal and state secretariats or local councils? We, the people, are the ‘governors’ of our environment, of our country and the architects of our future. There are several programmes and policies that have been implemented towards a cleaner environment at different points i