Scholars, policymakers, and leaders of thought will gather on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NII), Lagos, to interrogate Africa’s political, economic, and institutional journey, fifty years after General Muritala Ramat Muhammed’s historic declaration that “Africa has come of age”.
The interrogation is taking place at a one-day Strategic Policy Dialogue jointly organised by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (MMF–NIIA).
The dialogue is themed, “Has Africa Come of Age”.
In the programme of the event sighted by PrimeStar News, the dialogue moves beyond commemoration to rigorous reflection, offering a space for evidence-based debate, inter-generational exchange, and policy-relevant insights that speak directly to Africa’s place in today’s rapidly shifting global order.
The hosts of the MMFNIIA Policy Dialogue are Dr Muhammed-Oyebode, Chief Executive Officer, Muritala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), and Professor Eghosa Osaghae, NIIA Director-General.
While the Keynote Speaker is Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs, Professor Charles Ukeje from Obafemi Awolowo University will serve as moderator.
The panelists are Professor W. Alade Fawole of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Olubukola Adesina of University of Ibadan, Professor Hassan Saliu of University of Ilorin, and the President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Professor Rahamatu Lawal of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Dr Joshua Olusegun Bolarinwa, Director of Research, NIIA.
