Nigeria: Political Dynamics and Prospects for Reform

 Mallam Nasir Ahmad el Rufai discussed current political dynamics within Nigeria, and implications for a reform agenda. Nasir el Rufai was Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja from 2003-2007. During his tenure, he was known for his reform efforts, including for support of Nigeria's then-newly formed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and for overhauling the infrastructure and city plan of the FCT. He was also a member of President Obasanjo's Economic Management Team, where he contributed to efforts to reform government procurement procedures, establish an extractive industry transparency initiative, and add transparency to public expenditures. These initiatives aimed to create regulations and procedures that would end longstanding patterns of bribery and corruption in Nigeria.