The Interview Editors
Dr. Obadiah Mailafia – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Qualifications
- Career economist, banker and international development specialist with over 25 years of experience
- Served as deputy governor, Central Bank of Nigeria
- Served as special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on economic and policy matters
- Official of African Development Bank Group
Policy positions
Security:
He plans to modernize the police force and strengthen intelligence gathering capacity. He wants to develop a relationship between the military and industry to encourage research and innovation.
Economy:
He believes Nigeria does not lack ideas, for the blueprints for economic development are already out in the public. The most recent, he says, is the National Economic Recovery Document, 2017-2020, which he plans to implement. He is an advocate of human capital development as an engine for economic growth.
Education:
He promises to reform education in the country and increase the literacy rate. National development, he believes, can only be achieved through intellectual capital development.
Health:
He wants to tackle the high rate of maternal mortality.
Corruption:
The ADC candidate plans to embark on institutional reforms for efficiency in the management of public resources as a way of reducing corruption.
Strength
He is an experienced policymaker in both international and local organizations.
Weakness
He is not a known politician, has no political structure or following.
