As eminent economists, policymakers and development experts prepare to interrogate why Nigeria’s abundant resources have failed to translate into widespread prosperity.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ValidViewNetwork, Kayode Ogunjobi Ph.D, FHEA, FFAN, has announced the theme for the sixth edition of the Monthly Global Discourse of ValidViewNetwork. The discourse will address the theme: “NIGERIA’S WEALTH PARADOX: WHY DOES ABUNDANCE COEXIST WITH POVERTY?”

Nigeria is a country blessed with enormous natural resources, fertile agricultural land, a large population, abundant human capital and remarkable entrepreneurial potential. Yet, for millions of its citizens, these advantages have not translated into better living conditions, economic security or shared prosperity.

From persistent poverty and unemployment to food insecurity, weak industrial capacity and declining purchasing power, the country’s economic realities continue to raise a fundamental question: Why does abundance coexist with poverty?

This compelling national question will take centre stage at the Sixth Edition of the Monthly Global Discourse of ValidViewNetwork scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026.

The virtual programme will hold from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm West Africa Time (WAT), via Zoom and YouTube.

BEYOND ABUNDANCE: WHERE IS THE PROSPERITY?

Nigeria’s wealth paradox goes beyond the availability of natural resources. It raises questions about how national resources are managed, how economic opportunities are created, how wealth is distributed and how effectively public policies translate national potential into tangible benefits for citizens.

Why has Nigeria struggled to transform its agricultural resources into a thriving food and agro industrial economy? Why has the country’s vast human capital not generated sufficient productive employment? What accounts for the persistent gap between natural resource abundance and industrial development?

The discourse will examine the structural, institutional, economic and governance challenges that have limited Nigeria’s capacity to create and sustain widespread prosperity.

It will also interrogate the roles of public finance, investment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, agricultural development and private sector participation in building a productive economy.

WHO BENEFITS FROM NIGERIA’S WEALTH?

A central concern of the conversation will be the relationship between national wealth creation and the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

The programme will explore whether Nigeria’s economic challenges arise principally from weak resource management, policy inconsistencies, institutional limitations, inadequate investment, poor infrastructure or the failure to create an enabling environment for businesses and industries.

It will further examine practical measures for converting natural and human resources into productive investments, sustainable employment, stronger industries and improved living standards.

The central question confronting participants will be whether Nigeria can move from an economy characterised by enormous potential to one that delivers measurable prosperity for the majority of its citizens.

A PLATFORM FOR DISTINGUISHED PERSPECTIVES

The sixth edition will bring together distinguished economists, policymakers, industrialists, entrepreneurs, academics and development professionals to examine the country’s economic contradictions and explore practical solutions.

The contributions of the discussants will provide perspectives on economic policy, wealth creation, investment, agriculture, industrial development and inclusive growth. Details of the confirmed discussants will be announced by ValidViewNetwork.

BUILDING ON FIVE EDITIONS OF NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS

The sixth edition continues ValidViewNetwork’s commitment to providing a platform for informed public engagement on critical national and global issues.

Since its launch in June 2026, the Monthly Global Discourse has addressed subjects ranging from forest insecurity and national development to national image management, public communication, education reform and food safety.

The first edition examined “Nigeria’s Forests Under Siege: Charting a Path to Safety, Stability, and Sustainable Development,” featuring Professor Labode Popoola, Executive Secretary and CEO of the African Forest Forum, Kenya.

The second edition addressed “National Demarketing and the Nigerian Psyche: Resetting Nigeria’s Public Mindset,” with Dr. Bolajoko Bayo Ajayi and Dr. Ike Neliaku as distinguished discussants.

The third edition explored “Truth or Treason? Navigating the Thin Line Between National Critique and National Demarketing,” featuring Ambassador Dr. Yemi Farounbi and Professor Samaila Mande.

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The fourth edition examined “The Lost Promise of 6, 3, 3, 4: Can Nigeria Still Recover Its Technological Vision?” with Emeritus Professor Michael Abiola Omolewa, OON, and Chief Tola Adeniyi.

The fifth edition focused on “Poison on the Plate: Confronting Nigeria’s Epidemic of Fake and Adulterated Food Items.” It featured Professor Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, and Professor Beatrice Olutoyin Opeolu, Distinguished Professor Extraordinaire at the University of South Africa.

Each edition has provided an opportunity for distinguished professionals and thought leaders to examine important societal concerns and contribute perspectives towards addressing them.

FROM CONVERSATION TO PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

The sixth discourse is expected to move beyond identifying Nigeria’s economic difficulties to examining the changes required to unlock the country’s productive capacity.

It will challenge policymakers, business leaders, researchers and citizens to rethink how national resources can generate greater economic value, how investment can stimulate employment, how agriculture and manufacturing can drive growth, and how institutions can support sustainable wealth creation.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the objective of the discourse is to encourage informed engagement and practical thinking on how Nigeria can translate its enormous economic potential into shared prosperity.

The programme is open to academics, policymakers, government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, researchers, Nigerians in the diaspora and members of the general public.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ValidViewNetwork, Kayode Ogunjobi, PhD, FHEA, FFAN, invites members of the public to participate in what promises to be an important conversation about Nigeria’s economic future.

ValidViewNetwork is encouraging Nigerians at home and abroad to participate actively in the sixth edition. The Monthly Global Discourse takes place virtually every last Sunday of the month from 6:00 PM -8:00 PM (WAT) using the link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82272813503?pwd=PzcDTGM7Ay4CZV85LW9oU6DrpAxL8k.1

Members of the public are also encouraged to invite friends, colleagues, family members, professional associations, students, community leaders and other interested persons to participate.

According to the organisation, wider participation will enable the Monthly Global Discourse to achieve greater impact by bringing diverse perspectives into the conversation.

As the country continues to confront the challenge of converting abundance into prosperity, one question deserves serious attention: What must Nigeria do differently to ensure that its wealth works for its people?