March 24, (THEWILL) — All is set for the 2026 edition of the TheNiche Annual Lecture, with Alex Chioma Otti, Governor of Abia State, scheduled to deliver the keynote address under the distinguished chairmanship of Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano.
The fifth edition of the high-profile lecture series will hold on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, located on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, with proceedings expected to commence promptly at 10:00 a.m.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of TheNiche described the forthcoming lecture as a timely intervention aimed at refocusing national discourse on economic governance as Nigeria approaches another political cycle.
The statement noted that the choice of Otti as guest speaker and Sanusi as chairman was deliberate, given their extensive experience and global recognition in economic management and financial systems.
Governor Otti, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, built a distinguished career in the banking sector before venturing into politics. He served as Managing Director of Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank in 2019 to form one of Africa’s largest financial institutions.
Similarly, Sanusi, a respected economist and thought leader, previously served as Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria, becoming the first northerner to lead the historic bank.
He was later appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Beyond his public service roles, he is also the spiritual leader (Khalifa) of the Tijanniyah Sufi order in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
According to the organisers, the 2026 lecture will focus on stimulating robust discussions around Nigeria’s economic realities and the imperative of disciplined governance.
“As Nigeria goes into another season of politics, the electorate needs to be reminded, to borrow the famous phrase by James Carville, that ‘it is the economy, stupid.’ There is also the need to keep leadership at all levels focused on economic issues,” the statement read.
It added that both Otti and Sanusi rank among the most knowledgeable figures on economic and financial matters, not just in Nigeria but globally, making them well-suited to drive conversations that could shape policy direction.
The organisers further explained that the lecture aims to “jumpstart the much-needed discussion on the economy we have and the governance we need,” with a focus on interrogating the country’s economic structure and the discipline—or lack thereof—in governance.
Held under the auspices of the TheNiche Foundation for Development Journalism, the annual lecture has grown into a credible platform for intellectual engagement on national issues.
Previous editions have featured prominent speakers such as Kingsley Moghalu, Anya O. Anya, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Past chairpersons include Remi Sonaiya, late Christopher Kolade, Tanko Yakasai, and Uma Eleazu.
With a lineup of seasoned economic minds and a focus on policy-relevant discourse, the 2026 edition is expected to further consolidate the lecture’s role as a vital forum for shaping Nigeria’s development trajectory.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
