Meet The Young Scholars – Cohort I - Kingsgate Advisors Institute

MEET THE YOUNG SCHOLARS, COHORT 1

Pascal Messsi
M.Sc Graduate, De Montfort University

Omobolanle Oladokun
400L Economics, University of Ibadan

Oluwatunmise Olashinde
300L Economics, Ajayi Crowther University

Kechiro Ambro-Moye
Master’s student in Economics, Convenant University

Jadesola Alheri Kolawole
400L Economics, University of Ibadan

Akeem Adepoju
400L Economics, University of Ibadan

Juliet Eze
Graduate of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Taiwo Oluwafemi Olatunji
400L Economics, University of Ibadan

James Ndukwe
Graduate of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Esther Oluwaseun Ojo
400L Economics, University of Ibadan

Joshua Aladedunye
300L Economics, Bowen University

Jacob Chidi Nduka
400L Economics, University of Ibadan

What Our Scholars Say About Their Experience at Kingsgate Academy

My time at Kingsgate has been truly transformative. So many sessions and modules have stood out for me. Our sessions particularly on how to write analytically and also the session on how to source for and utilize data has helped me immensely, especially in my final year thesis. The session on political economy in conflict-affected areas has taught me how sound and realistic policies can help innovation and develop communities. I would definitely recommend Kingsgate Young Scholar Academy to anyone who is passionate about driving change, building nations and positive growth.

JADESOLA KOLAWOLE Economics Graduate,
University of Ibadan

During my time at the academy, I sharpened my research skills by gaining practical experience through collating data and interpreting data from credible data sources like UNDP, the IMF, and the Central Bank of Nigeria. The academy also taught me to think critically and not to take information at face value, but to rather conduct deep, in-depth, evidence-based analysis. One of my key takeaways was how political interests shape economic policies and how economic interests shape political programs. Understanding this relationship has helped me to see policy problems in a different light. I strongly recommend Kingsgate Young Scholar Academy. It's decision that you will not regret taking.

JOSHUA ALADEDUNYE400 Level Economics Student,
Bowen University

Among all the webinars and training, what stood out for me is the practical and hands-on experience the program offers. Before joining Kingsgate, I have taken several courses in Python, Power BI, and Excel, but these skills became dormant due to lack of real opportunities to apply them. Joining Kingsgate has helped to revive and apply these skills through the tasks given unto us. I had the opportunity to extract data from the World Bank, clean it, and generate heat map. This reminded me of how data can be used to tell economic stories and guide policy decision-making.

JACOB CHIDIEconomics Graduate,
University of Ibadan

Over the course of this six-month program I've learned valuable things starting with writing analytically and thinking analytically as well. This program has really shaped the way I think when it comes to economic theories and policies. Another valuable part was the learning sessions and the Fireside Chats where we interacted with seasoned professionals on career paths in economics. It was a really valuable experience learning from their mistakes so that we wouldn't make the same mistakes. Generally I'd say the Young Scholars Program is very valuable to build personally and professionally.

PASCAL MESSIM.Sc Graduate,
De MontfortUniversity of Ibadan

During the course of the program, there were so many sessions, but one that particularly stood out for me was the one on fragility, which taught us that policies are not readily applicable between countries, but instead should be country specific. Also, the book, Writing Analytically, helped me learn how to deeply understand the core ideas behind every piece of writing. To every eligible person, this program is certainly not one you want to miss.

TAIWO OLATUNJIEconomics Graduate,
University of Ibadan

Throughout my internship period, I was privileged to learn research issues and public policy analysis and how they affect the economy and our everyday lives. One session that stood out was on the political economy of public policy in a fragile and conflict-affected state by Dr. Usman Alabi. This broadened my horizon on how political economy contributes to public policy development and sustainability. If you want to participate for the next cohort, you will have first-hand information and in-depth understanding of research and policy.

JAMES NDUKWEEconomics Graduate,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka

The past few months with Kingsgate have been truly transformative, deeply enriching and intellectually rewarding. Through the program, I have gained hands-on experience in analytical writing, preparing professional policy briefs and policy research that connects research to real world impact. The learning sessions and fireside chats created a strong link between theory and practice. One moment that stood out was the webinar on Economic Policy in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States. Overall, the experience has strengthened my analytical abilities and understanding of developmental issues from a practical point of view. I would recommend the program to any student or growing professional.

OMOBOLANLE OLADOKUN400L Economics,
University of Ibadan

This is a program that changed me for good and I would definitely recommend it to anybody that is eligible enough to apply. One that stood out for me was the book writing analytically which challenged my line of thought when it comes to economic analysis. Beyond that, we had sessions on economic policy formulation. The knowledge and skills I gained from Kingsgate were the ones that paved way for me to become a research analyst at the company I currently work for. This is not something you want to miss.

ADEPOJU AKEEM OLALEKANEconomics Graduate,
University of Ibadan

The journey has been educative and interesting with lots of learning sessions, webinar and fireside chats. One webinar that stood out for me was economic policy in Fragile and Conflict Affected states. A policy that works in a particular country might not necessarily work in another. I was able to write my own policy brief and now I can confidently write a policy brief. Thank you to everyone that made this program educative. To anyone that would love to join, please do well to join.

JULIET EZEEconomics Graduate,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Kingsgate Advisors Institute really shaped me. It shaped my policy analytical skills and critical thinking skills in the area of policy making. The learning sessions, the tasks, the fireside chats enlightening us on the opportunities in economics. I’m really grateful and I count it as a privilege. Kingsgate is really shaping leaders. I’m recommending Kingsgate for any young scholar that really want to do well as an economist in a practical way, not just theoretical.

ESTHER OLUWASEUN OJOEconomics Graduate,
University of Ibadan

I got hands on experience about how an economy truly works and how to develop technical skills that would help me be a better policymaker and to be able to speak to data. It has been a transformative learning experience bridging the gap between theory and practical reality. The academy opened my eyes to the various career opportunities that are available in economics. I’ve been able to develop technical skills that I will use to develop myself all round as a well-informed economist. Thank you for this amazing experience.

OLUWATUNMISE OLASHINDE400L Economics,
Ajayi Crowther University

The Young Scholar's Academy has been a really transformative experience for me. I gained practical and analytical skills especially in regards to economic policy and developmental issues. It shifted the way I think about economic theory and showed me how these theories are practicalized in a real-life setting. The program helped shape my critical thinking and leadership skills and gave me the confidence to engage in policy and research conversations. What makes the program special is that it doesn't just teach, but it trusts you with real opportunities.

KECHIRO AMBRO-MOYEMaster’s student in Economics,
Convenant University