THE Obafemi Awolowo Foundation is scheduled to hold a virtual roundtable, on November 26, 2026, at 6pm Nigerian time, to bring scholars, public intellectuals, policymakers and development practitioners together to examine the relevance of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s developmental philosophy to Nigeria’s contemporary challenges through a proposed framework known as Neo-Awoism.
The roundtable is expected to critically examine how the political and economic principles associated with the late sage could be reinterpreted and applied to the realities of 21st-century Nigeria.
Recognising the potential significance of this proposition, the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Foundation, with the consent and active collaboration of the author and originator of the Neo-Awoism concept, proposes to convene a virtual roundtable of scholars, public intellectuals, policymakers and development practitioners to subject the concept to rigorous interrogation, critical analysis and constructive engagement.
The author will serve as the lead presenter and principal resource person, introducing the conceptual framework, explaining its underlying assumptions and responding to questions and critiques.
He is expected to explain the conceptual framework, its underlying assumptions and the thinking behind its proposed application to contemporary Nigerian society, while responding to questions, observations and criticisms from participants.
The Foundation will provide the institutional platform for wider engagement, facilitating independent assessment, further refinement and, where appropriate, the consideration of resulting proposals by relevant authorities and agencies.
In a statement issued on November 11, and signed by its executive director, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, the Foundation described the initiative as an opportunity to subject Neo-Awoism to rigorous intellectual interrogation, independent assessment and constructive engagement.
The concept, according to the Foundation, seeks to reinterpret Awolowo’s enduring developmental principles within the context of a market-oriented and technology-driven society.
Awolowo’s political philosophy and vision of development were anchored on human capital development, social justice, fiscal discipline, productive governance and genuine federalism.
These principles, the Foundation observed, informed some of the most consequential developmental achievements in Nigeria’s history and remain worthy of examination as the country grapples with persistent political, economic and technological challenges.
The roundtable is, therefore, expected to explore whether these foundational ideas can provide fresh perspectives and practical solutions to Nigeria’s development problems.
The Foundation stressed that the exercise would not amount to an endorsement of a predetermined political or economic doctrine but an opportunity to examine the intellectual coherence, contemporary relevance and practical applicability of Neo-Awoism.
According to the Foundation, the process is intended “to recognise the author’s ownership and continuing contribution to the concept while allowing other scholars and development practitioners to interrogate, enrich and develop its ideas.”
The discussions will focus on four major questions: which aspects of Awolowo’s developmental philosophy remain relevant and how they can be reinterpreted for present-day Nigeria; whether Neo-Awoism provides an adequate framework for addressing the country’s challenges; how its principles can be translated into practical policies and institutional reforms; and which aspects of the concept require further clarification and development.
Beyond intellectual discussions, the Foundation hopes the engagement will produce concrete recommendations capable of informing national development policies.
Among the expected outcomes are an assessment of the strengths and limitations of Neo-Awoism, identification of areas requiring further research, exploration of opportunities for broader public engagement and recommendations on translating promising ideas into actionable policy proposals.
The Foundation also indicated that, “subject to the outcome of the deliberations, it might work with the concept’s originator to develop a refined concept paper, undertake wider consultations and prepare policy briefs for consideration by government authorities, institutions and development agencies.”
The initiative comes against the background of renewed conversations about Nigeria’s development trajectory and the search for an effective framework capable of addressing the country’s economic, political and institutional shortcomings
For many Nigerians, Awolowo’s legacy remains closely associated with purposeful leadership and the use of public resources to improve the welfare and opportunities available to citizens.
His emphasis on education, social welfare, regional development and accountable governance continues to provide an important reference point in discussions about leadership and nation-building.
The proposed engagement seeks to move beyond celebrating these achievements to examining the ideas that made them possible and determining how they could be adapted to present circumstances.
The Foundation noted that one of the most meaningful ways to honour Awolowo’s intellectual and political legacy was “to encourage the continued examination, reinterpretation and application of the principles that informed his life’s work.”
It described the roundtable as a modest but potentially consequential first step towards exploring how those principles could contribute to a more productive, equitable and sustainable Nigeria.
The November 26 event is expected to provide a platform for informed debate on the place of ideology in national development and the possibility of adapting established political and economic ideas to a rapidly changing world.
The Foundation said the ultimate objective was not merely to revisit a distinguished historical legacy but to explore how its underlying principles could illuminate a better future for succeeding generations.
Login details for the virtual meeting are expected to be communicated to participants.
