By Peace Udugba
A new thought-leadership podcast, Policy Without Politics (PWP), has been launched to promote informed public discussions on governance, public policy, business and Africa’s economic future.
Hosted by renowned financial expert Mustafa Chike-Obi and development economist Dr. Ken Ikpe, the weekly podcast aims to simplify complex policy issues and explain how government decisions affect businesses, markets and the daily lives of citizens.
The programme is available on YouTube and encourages viewers to subscribe for non-partisan conversations on governance, development and economic policy.
According to the hosts, the podcast is designed to bridge the gap between policymaking and its real-world impact by connecting decisions made in government to their effects on companies, communities and national development across Africa.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Dr. Ken Ikpe said policy influences every aspect of society, adding that the podcast seeks to make policy discussions practical, accessible and relevant so more people can understand how government decisions translate into real outcomes.
The debut episode, titled “Policy vs Implementation: Why Nigeria’s Good Ideas Keep Failing,” examines whether Nigeria’s development challenges stem from weak policy formulation, poor implementation or a broader failure of accountability and political will.
The discussion covers issues including fuel subsidy removal, electricity pricing, health insurance, education, exchange rate management, telecommunications and social safety nets.
During the episode, Mustafa Chike-Obi argued that sustainable economic growth must be driven by production before welfare spending, stressing that countries with limited resources must prioritise wealth creation.
Other episodes already produced include “The Importance of an Economic Adviser in National Government,” which explores the role of independent economic advisers in national planning and long-term growth, and “Why Do African Teams Concede in the 86th Minute?”, which uses football to discuss sports policy, discipline, execution and the economic opportunities within the sports industry.
The introductory episode, “Introducing PWP: Why Good Policy Fails to Change Lives,” sets the foundation for the series by examining why many well-designed policies fail to improve citizens’ living conditions.
The podcast’s credibility is anchored on the extensive experience of its hosts. Mustafa Chike-Obi is a veteran investment banker and former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). He previously held senior positions at Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns and Guggenheim Partners and is a First Class Mathematics graduate of the University of Lagos with an MBA from Stanford University.
Dr. Ken Ikpe brings over three decades of experience in business leadership, brand management, advertising and development economics.
A former Group Chief Executive Officer of Insight Redefini Group, he holds a PhD in Development Economics from the Academy of Sciences, School of African Studies, Moscow, and is affiliated with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University.
Commenting on the initiative, Chike-Obi said the podcast is focused on identifying policies that deliver measurable results rather than engaging in partisan political debates.
With its blend of expert analysis and practical insights, Policy Without Politics is expected to serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, students and citizens seeking a deeper understanding of the policies shaping Africa’s economic and governance landscape.
The podcast is available on YouTube, where viewers are encouraged to watch, share and subscribe for weekly discussions on policy, governance, business and Africa’s development.
