The recent civil ENDSARS protests and subsequent ‘lootings’ and ‘vandalization’ in major cities across Nigeria highlighted different dimensions of insecurity in the country. Some persons have also argued about poor funding and inadequate training of security agencies. It is essential to underscore that despite increasing appropriation for security in national and state budgets over the years, insecurity remains very high in Nigeria. For example, over the last decades, less than 3% of the 2020 national budget is being earmarked for security – besides state & local government security budgets. Emotions were high during the ENDSARS saga because many are passionate to see a Nigeria where peace, security and justice reigns.
Against the above background, the Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR) of Covenant University is coming up to build on the outstanding successes of the 1st (February 2019) and 2nd (March 2020) editions of CEPDeR’s National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion for 2021. Thus, CEPDeR’s 2021 National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion is themed ‘National Budgeting, Security Issues and Sustainable Development in Nigeria’
Date: Thursday, 25th February 2021
Time: 9.30 am
Venue: CUCRID Auditorium, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
Facilitators
We are drawing the Speakers/Panellists from agencies of government, private sector, and academia. Speakers and Panellists expected to include:
- Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning – Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed;
- General Theophilus Y. Danjuma (Rtd), GCON;
- Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (National Assembly);
- Security Experts and Representatives of Youth Organisations
Expectations of the 2021 Roundtable and Panel Discussion
Proposing a National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion with the theme ‘‘National Budgeting, Security Issues and Sustainable Development in Nigeria’ is timely. CEPDeR’s 2021 NBR is expected to identify and propose sustainable solutions to the national problem of insecurity. It enlarges the scope of budget discussions by incorporating the issue of national security for sustainable development, as well as, highlighting the perspective of youth, media and cybersecurity. It will provide fresh insights and further enlighten not only Nigerian society but those of other countries, especially in the African continent. As such, presentations by speakers and subsequent panel discussions will address sub-themes such as:
- Effective Budgeting for National Security;
- The Role of National Assembly in Effective Budgeting for National Security;
- Budgeting, Fiscal Federalism and Social Security; and
- Youth, Social Media and Cybersecurity
Success Story of Previous National Roundtable and Panel Discussions
CEPDeR’s NBR 2020 was held on 20th March with the theme ‘The Art of National Budgeting and Nigeria’s Debt Profile: Sectoral & Demographic Implications’, with experts from the academia, government agencies and private sector in attendance. After the 2019 edition of CEPDeR’s National Budget Roundtable (NBR), which stressed the need for early passage of the budget, the national budget passed by the National Assembly in December, before the commencement of the 2020 fiscal year. Further details and the policy brief are online at CEPDER’s website at http://cepder.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/reports/
Registration
The event is FREE but interested participant should register ahead of time to get their seats confirmed before they can attend.
Partnership, Exhibition and Enquiries
For Corporate Participation and Exhibition, enquiries should be made using the details below:
Email: cepder@covenantuniversity.edu.ng or call: 08182466026
You can also contact
Evans S. Osabuohien, Ph.D
Professor of Economics & Chair, CEPDeR,
08028858727; evans.osabuohien@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
Obindah Gershon, PhD
Co-Chair, CEPDeR,
08186456785; obindah.gershon@covenantuniversity.edu.ng