SPPG’s Big Ideas Platform 2026 to Challenge Nigeria’s Governance Status Quo

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) has announced plans for the 2026 edition of its flagship Big Ideas Platform (BIP), with this year’s conversations centred on inclusion, dignity, and community-driven leadership.

The event, themed “Leading With Our Humanity – Ideas That Elevate Our Communities,” will hold on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Organised in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, the annual platform has grown into one of Nigeria’s emerging spaces for governance conversations, public leadership dialogue, and civic innovation.

According to information released by the organisers, this year’s edition will focus on the experiences of communities and groups often excluded from governance structures and public decision-making processes.

The organisers noted that nearly 29 million Nigerians live with disabilities, while fewer than 500 certified sign language interpreters currently serve the country’s estimated 3 million deaf or hard-of-hearing citizens. The programme will also spotlight the experiences of communities displaced during the development of the Federal Capital Territory, many of whom continue to advocate for inclusion and recognition decades later.

SPPG described the 2026 edition as a challenge to institutions and leaders to rethink governance through empathy, accessibility, representation, and shared humanity.

Since its launch in 2023, the Big Ideas Platform has explored themes ranging from technology and behaviour change to mental well-being, innovation, and Africa’s development future. Previous editions featured conversations around artificial intelligence, brain health, menstrual health, and civic innovation. (SPPG)

This year’s programme will be divided into two segments.

The first session will feature a village square-style conversation exploring disability inclusion, traditional leadership, urban displacement, civic technology, and storytelling as a tool for community advocacy.

The second segment will centre on a live reading experience of “Leading With Our Humanity,” a book authored by Dr. Amina Salihu, Deputy Director of the Africa Office at the MacArthur Foundation and pioneer Dean of SPPG.

According to SPPG, the book argues that empathy, dignity, and inclusion should not be treated as optional ideals in governance, but as necessary foundations for building sustainable institutions and stronger societies. (SPPG)

Speakers expected at the event include disability rights advocate and Inclusive Friends Association founder, Grace Alache Jerry; BudgIT co-founder, Oluseun Onigbinde; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Dr. Abiodun Essiet; journalist and CEE-HOPE founder, Betty Abbah; and BraveHeart Initiative founder, Priscillia Usiobaifo.

Others are HRH Alhaji Hussaini Agabi Mam, Agabe of Ugbada-Gwargwada; Akinmuyiwa Bisola of the Agbajowo Collective; and Babou Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, SPPG’s Senegal Representative.

Beyond panel discussions, attendees will also participate in a curated book presentation, signing session, excerpt installations, and a photo exhibition inspired by Dr. Salihu’s work.

Participation at the event is free and open to the public, with registration available through SPPG’s official platforms. (SPPG)