Prof. Olumide Ekanade Delivers 21st Inaugural Lecture at Redeemer’s University

Redeemer’s University achieved another academic milestone as Professor Olumide Victor Ekanade, a Professor of Economic and Social History, took the stage to deliver the institution's 21st Inaugural Lecture.

In a session described as "sterling and intellectually stimulating," Professor Ekanade addressed a critical pillar of the Nigerian state in his lecture titled: “From Fiscal Federalism to Feeding Bottle Federalism: The Historical Dialectics of Nigeria’s Federal Finance and its Accoutrements.”

The Historical Dialectics of Governance

Professor Ekanade provided a rigorous historical autopsy of Nigeria’s financial evolution. His lecture traced the transition from a decentralized, productive fiscal system to what he termed "Feeding Bottle Federalism"—a state of over-dependence on central allocation that he argues has stifled regional initiative and sustainable development.

Key themes explored in the lecture included:

The Evolution of Federal Finance: Mapping the shift from the regional autonomy of the First Republic to the current centralized model.

Systemic Contradictions: Analyzing how the current financial structure creates friction between governance and actual grassroots development.

National Discourse: Offering historical perspectives on how Nigeria might recalibrate its federalism to foster true economic growth.

Commitment to Scholarship

The Vice-Chancellor and the University Senate lauded the presentation as a testament to Redeemer’s University’s role as a center for critical inquiry and thought leadership. The event drew a large audience of scholars, students, and policymakers, reinforcing the university’s reputation for contributing meaningful solutions to national challenges.

The 21st Inaugural Lecture once again positioned the Department of History and International Relations at the forefront of contemporary academic debate in Nigeria.