An African Perspective in programme design

The programme adopts an African perspective to its approach, using Nigeria as its subject matter. This approach is relevant to solving African development matters with African solutions.

Using case studies from Africa, we hone in those problems that touch Africa and find unique ways in solving them. The curriculum and design of this programme are unique to Africa and emerging economies with similar developmental bottlenecks.

Most of the academic research in the social sciences is dominated by a western perspective, deriving from that point of view.  The concepts and principles do not always apply and or are based on assumptions are based on assumptions. Our solution is in the way we design our subject curricum and the research material we expose our students to.

Students studying abroad realise afterwards that most of the the things they are taught do not practically apply in Africa. They apply better in the countries where they originate. They may apply to Africa but only to a certain extent which undermines the actual findings and compromises on the outcomes derived.

A student abroad may find that the results they get may differ where factors relevant to Africa was introduced. This is best illustrated with the following case study drawn from our public policy economics course.

Case study 1: Social Problems With an Urban Transport System.

We worked out that during peak hours, a six-kilometer bus ride with 12 bus stops would take 36 mins from the first to the last stop averaging 3 minutes per stop. This information permits us to draw a timetable for a journey planner that is displayed on an electronic screen at every bus stop for passengers to see. If you introduce certain variable factors relevant to Nigeria, the same concept is unlikely to work for several other factors that cannot be estimated with time. How do you explain to your research team in that context that

1. The bus was stopped by a police man and delayed for 20 minutes arguing over vehicle documents.
2. A local government task force  agent asking the driver for his waste basket receipt added 20 minutes.
3. An ill repaired vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road broke down on the bridge causing immeasurable traffic.

These are the factors that must be factored into any research for students if it is to be applied in Africa.

Social events

Students and Alumni around the country connect through a wealth of activities, including social events, informative speaking presentations, cross-cultural and cross-faith dialogues, and volunteering opportunities. Here are a few, and students are expected to join at least one.