In this episode, we sit down with him for a wide-ranging conversation covering the historical legacy of slavery, the critical distinction between growth and economic development, and what the future holds for the intellectual relationship between Africa and the Caribbean.

We hope you enjoy it.

We also talked about the Soviet Union and electric vehicles.

You can also watch this episode on Spotify. We hope you enjoy it.

It was a wide ranging discussion that synthesised his knowledge from 25 years of working and building in the public eye in Nigeria and across the world.

And we ended with him reading a passage from his new book - How Depression Saved My Life (available to buy at the link).

We hope you enjoy and this time it’s a video episode.

Hello! It’s been a minute.

In this episode, we discuss the cultural and economic implications of the Detty December phenomenon in Nigeria, exploring how tourism, inflation, and governance intersect. We talk about the challenges posed by inadequate public infrastructure, the complexities of recent tax reforms, and the cultural dynamics that influence Nigeria’s economic landscape.

We also explore various themes surrounding Nigeria’s political landscape, the implications of Trump’s policies, the significance of human capital in development, and the evolving nature of immigration.

We hope you enjoy the episode

What is modernity in the African context and why does Africa need to be modern? We sat down with the philosopher, Professor Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò for a wide ranging discussion on his book, Africa Must Be Modern.

We also discussed the nature of knowledge and education and the role it can play in a modern Africa. This was quite a deep conversation that left a deep impression on us.

We hope you enjoy it too.

There is no better way to ground this Detty December than with a clear look at the evolution of Nigeria’s art scene.

Adenrele Sonariwo sits down with us to map out the past, present, and future of the industry. We discuss the impact of Rele Galler(ies), the Young Contemporaries, and break down exactly what it takes to support talent on the path to global success.

We hope you enjoy the episode

Tobi and I examine what we believe is the real “China Shock”: the redirection of export demand that might otherwise have gone to the United States toward Nigeria and other markets. We trace the economic and geopolitical consequences of that shift and outline practical policy and strategic responses a country like Nigeria could adopt to capture opportunity and manage disruption.

Key topics covered

• How export displacement works and why Nigeria is a likely beneficiary

• Policy responses Nigeria should consider to sustain industrial growth and build resilience

• Geopolitical implications for the two competing superpowers and for regional trade dynamics

Listen and watch The episode is available in audio and as a video on our YouTube page.

Some articles mentioned on the podcast:

German steel firm dismantled and sent to China - BBC

China’s global exports continue to grow despite Trump tariffs - NY Times

We (Tobi and Feyi) sat down to discuss President Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and what it says about Nigeria’s trajectory over the last two decades.

We also touched on F.O.O.D and tried to get into the reasons why the relationship between the government and the governed in Nigeria is so antagonistic to the point where the welfare of citizens is almost an afterthought.

Hope you enjoy the episode.

We sat down with Oyeronke Oyebanji for a very illuminating conversation on the inner workings of public health in Nigeria and across Africa. The conversation covered Covid-19, Lassa fever and what it will take to manufacture vaccines in Africa.

This was a wide ranging conversation by a real subject matter expert who brought her real world experience to bear.

Hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, we’re joined by Bright Simons - renowned innovator, policy thinker, and President of mPedigree - for a candid conversation on the limits of leapfrogging in frontier markets. Bright challenges prevailing narratives and offers a grounded analysis of why certain development models fail to deliver transformative impact.

Our discussion expands into the geopolitics of critical minerals and the urgent need for a coherent African strategy. With his signature clarity and depth, Bright unpacks the structural realities shaping the continent’s economic future.

This is a thought-provoking episode for anyone interested in development economics, industrial policy, and Africa’s place in the global value chain.

Here are the links to his essays we promised to link to:

• Why “Leapfrogging” in Frontier Markets Isn’t Working

• The ‘strategic mirage’ of Africa’s green minerals wealth

Most people know Odun Eweniyi as a powerhouse tech founder - one third of the team behind PiggyVest, and a self-proclaimed “tech bro.” But beyond the savings goals, she’s deeply curious about how culture shapes the way young people think about and use money.

In this episode, we dive into the unexpected intersection of rave culture, nightlife, and personal finance. Odun shares insights on where to stash your cash, when to splurge, and how to make sure fun doesn’t come at the expense of your future.

It’s a conversation about money, music, and making memories - without going broke.

We pick up our series on the fast-arriving future of AI and ask what it means for Nigeria and the wider continent - especially for countries not yet positioned to shape the technology.

This episode unpacks China’s new “AI Plus” strategy, which aims to turn AI into everyday infrastructure across the economy and the state. We explore what a very practical approach to AI could mean for African countries and map the risks.

China’s AI+ strategy announcement (in Mandarin) - LINK

Papers mentioned by Tobi:

Employment effects of AI

Africa’s manufacturing puzzle

By “popular demand”, we decided to do a podcast on the book review that has proven to be quite popular on 1914 Reader. Thank you all for reading and subscribing

We discussed some things that couldn’t fit into the review and why books like this are important, regardless of the actual content. And then we finished off with a short meditation on fatherhood.

Hope you enjoy.

P.S. Here’s the article on Roman Abramovich I promised to link to - Our Oligarch

It’s just Tobi and Feyi in the studio this week, diving into a conversation that started with a simple question: How could AI actually transform Nigeria - and Africa more broadly?

We kicked things off with education, wandered through infrastructure, and ended up talking about cement.

Hope you enjoy the episode!

Three years on from The Time-Travelling Economist, we sit down with Charlie Robertson to ask: how has the shifting global landscape altered his outlook? From demographic booms to education surges, which countries are now on his radar? Why does he see 2042 as a pivotal year for Nigeria - and what explains his tempered view on Thailand’s trajectory?

All of that and a lot more in this fun episode!

Tobi sat down with Michel Deelen, the Dutch Consul General to Nigeria, in Lagos for a discussion on the intersection between trade, business and diplomacy.

There was also time for cover music and food.

Hope you enjoy listening.

We had a friend of the house on the podcast to talk through what might be considered the bull case for Nigeria after a traumatic couple of years for the economy. It is never an easy case to make for investing in Nigeria but Fola is very clear eyed and realistic about the opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s most populous economies.

We certainly enjoyed making this one and we hope you do so too.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Professor A.G. Hopkins. If you have been with us here on 1914 Reader for a while, you will recall we did a read-along of his latest book, Capitalism in the Colonies here last year.

Professor Hopkins was kind enough to give us his time even when technology failed while recording multiple times. We apologise in advance for any audio issues you might have while listening.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

We sat down with Iré Hassan-Odukale, one half of the founding duo of the 2 Michelin Star Ikoyi restaurant in London to discuss the current globalisation of Nigerian food from the point of view of someone who was one of the pioneers of that wave.

We also talked about plantain and a few other things. And we managed to get an exclusive out of him towards the end of the podcast.

We hope you enjoy the episode.