Teniola is a Policy Advisor with a focus on trade, security, and development issues in Nigeria and Africa. She has a Master’s degree in Development Management from the London School of Economics and a first degree from the University of Ghana. With a wealth of experience in her field, Teniola has previously worked as a consultant with organizations such as the Institute for Security Studies, Supply Chain Africa, and the Inter-American Development Bank. She has also worked as a senior legislative aide with the Nigerian Senate and a consultant with the Office of the Vice President. She is based in Abuja and is a Chevening Scholar and a Fellow of the European University Institute’s School of Transnational Governance and the London School of Economics’ Programme for African Leadership.

Michael Odijie has carried out extensive research on industrial policy in West Africa. He has written several papers on trade policy issues, and his insight on related topics is regularly sought after.

Silindile Nanzile Mlilo is a Project Manager and Doctoral Researcher at the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Silindile has over 8 years of experience in extensive research and project management in both academia and the NGO sector. Silindile has earned a Bachelor of Social Work, and an MA in Human Rights from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, respectively. She followed this by completing a two-year mobility Erasmus Mundus MA in Advanced Development in Social Work, from the University of Lincoln (England), Aalborg University (Denmark), Instituto Superior de Ciencias Sociais e Politicas-Universidade De Lisboa (Portugal) and Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Defense (France).

Taiwo Ibiyemi is an International Development Consultant and Research Analyst with expertise in Energy Transition, Energy Access and Decarbonisation Strategy. With a proven track record of delivering exceptional value to projects and clients, Taiwo brings a unique blend of skills, experience, and competencies from several industries and business functions. He has successfully worked with donor partners such as the Shell Foundation, United Nations Environmental Program, USAID and the UK FCDO to implement climate-smart projects and energy access initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa. Taiwo has also served as a Consultant for several public and private-sector organizations including TetraTech International, KPMG, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, and Crown Agents UK. He has authored and published technical papers on policy issues regarding energy access in Africa. Taiwo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Abuja, Nigeria, and is completing a Master’s degree in International Business and Management at the University of Bradford, UK.

Seun Adeyemi is a Policy Advisor that works on public and private finance issues, including sustainable finance. He has extensive experience in the Nigerian public sector and worked as a public servant with Nigeria’s Debt Management Office for about seven years. He also worked as the Finance Lead for the Abuja Global Shapers community. He previously served as the Executive Director & Programs Manager of the Empowered African Youths Foundation (EAYF). He also works in the creative space and has worked with organisations such as Retro Africa art gallery and Shea Tribe. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts [FRSA], an Associate Member of the Nigerian Economic Society, and a member of the Royal Economic Society (RES). Seun is currently completing a Master’s in Finance (Financial Mathematics) at The University of Texas at Dallas. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Nile University of Nigeria and a Bachelor’s in Economics from the Bells University of Technology.

Aida Oluwagbemiga is a writer and researcher, with experience in the field of Non-Interest Finance and Islamic Banking. She has a degree in History and Diplomatic studies from the University of Abuja, and her intellectual curiosity extends to international relations, particularly focusing on foreign and economic policies. Beyond her professional commitments, Aida has a deep passion for youth development, specifically in areas of literature and mental health. She is an active administrator for the Abuja Literary Society, and plays a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of her community. She has also curated an array of successful art and literary events in Abuja, further enhancing the city’s creative and cultural profile.

Muhammed Badamasi is a Lawyer and writer. He obtained an undergraduate degree in law from Obafemi Awolowo University and is a qualified barrister and Solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Since 2017, he has been a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat youth network “Commonwealth Correspondents”, where he writes on several topics including governance, international trade law and policy. His areas of interest include international trade, energy, taxation, and public policy. He enjoys volunteering and is an arts aficionado.