Our Community
The Network
The REFA Network brings together scholars and practitioners across disciplines and geographies who share a commitment to rethinking economic futures for Africa. Our fellows contribute research, participate in collaborative inquiry, and help build the intellectual infrastructure for institutional alternatives grounded in African realities.
◆ Nigeria
◆ Ghana
◆ Senegal
◆ United Kingdom
◆ South Africa
Governance
Founder & Convenor
Dr Ruth Badru
Associate Professor, University of Bristol
United Kingdom
Co-Convenor
Dr Omowumi Omodunni Idowu
Associate Professor, Ekiti State University
Nigeria
Co-Convenor
Dr Oluwasola Emmanuel Omoju
Senior Research Fellow, NILDS; UNDP Consultant
Nigeria
Network Fellows
Dr Judith Amaka Kanu
Director of Research
Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)
Nigeria
A seasoned educator, researcher, and curriculum specialist with over two decades of professional experience. Research interests in decolonising education and knowledge production.
Professor Abou Kane
Full Professor of Economics; Vice Dean, Faculty of Economics and Management
Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar
Senegal
Specialises in development economics and applied microeconomics. Research focused on labour market analysis, agriculture, climate change, and impact evaluation of public policies. Director of the Laboratoire d’Economie Publique (LEP).
Associate Professor Fatima Osman
Associate Professor, Department of Private Law
University of Cape Town
South Africa
Legal scholar whose research and teaching focus on African customary law, succession, legal pluralism, and the relationship between lived social institutions and formal legal systems.
Professor Ogunrin Adeola Bosede
Professor; Chairperson, All Outreach Programmes
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Nigeria
Professor of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning. Research focus in peace education, indigenous knowledge systems, and decolonising education.
Mr Lionel Sakyi
Consultant
Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana / Action on Disability
Ghana
Ghana-based researcher working on social policy, disability inclusion, migration, and mental health. His work focuses on programme evaluation, research, and advancing inclusive policy and practice across sub-Saharan Africa.
Professor Bolanle Clara-Simeon Fayomi
Professor; Chairperson, International Programmes and Exchange Committee
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife / University of Ilorin
Nigeria
Research interests in African family in diaspora, African parenting, and social institutions.
Dr Onyinyechi Felicity Abiakwu
Lecturer I
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
Nigeria
Research interests in decolonising education and knowledge production in Africa.
Dr Chinwe Onyemaechi
Deputy Director, Centre for Mental Health and Psychological Services
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam
Nigeria
Doctor of clinical psychology. Research interest focuses on adolescents, women, and mental health in African contexts.
Dr Popoola Oluwasegun Oladipupo
Lecturer, Science and Technology Education
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Nigeria
Research focused on how curriculum reform and knowledge systems transformation can drive workforce readiness, sustainability literacy, and economic development across African contexts.
Dr Osayekemwen Ojo-Ebenezer
Lecturer and Researcher
Baze University, Abuja
Nigeria
Scholar and educator with a background in sociology. Research interests include institutional reform, governance, and social order.
Dr Emily Ikhide
Senior Research Fellow; Head, Gender and Inclusivity Unit
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Assembly, Abuja
Nigeria
Development finance and public policy researcher working across macroeconomics, public finance, energy, gender, agriculture, youth, governance, and inclusive policy design.