Head to Head

Nigeria’s future: Failed state or African superpower?

Former World Bank Vice President for Africa Obiageli Ezekwesili on Nigeria as regional and global power and Boko Haram.

Mehdi Hasan goes head to head with Nigerian activist and former minister Obiageli Ezekwesili on Nigeria as a regional and global power and Boko Haram.

We don't have a political party problem in my country, we have a political class problem

by Obiageli Ezekwesili

In this episode of Head to Head , Mehdi Hasan challenges Obiageli Ezekwesili, the former World Bank vice president for Africa, Nigerian minister of education, co-founder of Transparency International, and the woman behind the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, on Nigeria’s rise as a regional and global power.

Could Boko Haram break up Nigeria? Has enough been done to fight corruption? Is Nigeria the next superpower? And have World Bank policies helped or hurt Africa?

In front of the Oxford Union audience and with the help of an expert panel, we explore Nigeria’s role in the region and wider world and the challenges it faces.

Joining this discussion are:

• Priscilla Nwikpo, a British-Nigerian broadcaster and commentator;
• Richard Itaman, a Nigerian economist and researcher at the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies;
• Richard Dowden, Executive Director of the Royal African Society in the UK.

 

What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

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Head to Head  is Al Jazeera’s forum of ideas, a gladiatorial contest tackling big issues such as faith, the economic crisis, democracy and intervention in front of an opinionated audience at the Oxford Union.

Watch  previous Head to Head shows  here