Research & Publications
Copy and Paste Governance: Why Borrowed Policies Fail African Realities
Olubunmi Ayantunji takes readers on a compelling journey into one of Africa's most enduring governance challenges: why do some imported policy solutions spark progress, while others, despite the best intentions, fail to create meaningful change? Drawing on compelling case studies, historical examples, and practical policy insights, Ayantunji examines how governance models, institutions, and development strategies cross borders and shape outcomes across Africa. Essential reading for policymakers, public servants, academics, students, and development practitioners.
Research & Publications Index
Peer-reviewed articles, working papers, legislative drafts, policy briefs, and Side Walk Parliament newsletters on governance, legislative drafting, and public administration across Nigeria and Canada.
- 01May 2026
SOS from South Sudan
While the world’s attention gravitates toward familiar theatres of war, far less is said about the humanitarian emergencies unfolding quietly in South Sudan and across vulnerable regions.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentHumanitarian PolicyNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 02January 2026
Happy New Year from Venezuela!
Stirring civic curiosity and critical reflection on global governance, economic policies, and institutional realities observed through international perspectives.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentGlobal GovernanceNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 03February 2026
ACT! — Power, Agency, and Civic Participation
Our problems are not just leaders consolidating power, but the creeping normalization of apathy. A call to civic agency, active participation, and democratic renewal.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentCivic ParticipationNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 04March 2026
Happy International Women's Day
Looking beyond immediate circles to call for systemic inclusion, gender-responsive policy reform, and legislative equity in democratic governance.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentGender EquityNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 05April 2026
Let’s talk about “Authoritarian Nostalgia”
Examining the psychological and political phenomenon of authoritarian nostalgia—why citizens in transitioning democracies sometimes yearn for past strongman regimes.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentDemocratic GovernanceNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 06July 2025
Leadership Can Save Lives or Destroy Them
A critical reflection on executive authority, moral courage in public office, and how leadership decisions hold the direct power to protect lives or inflict systemic devastation.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentLeadershipNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 07October 2025
Policy Paralysis and the Price of Inaction
Institutions crumble gradually through complacency and administrative inertia. Examining the profound economic and social costs of policy paralysis in public governance.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentPolicy AnalysisNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 08September 2025
When Sport Divides, Who Really Wins?
Examining controversy at the US Open and what happens when international athletic competition intersects with geopolitical polarization and civic division.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentCulture & SocietyNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 09August 2025
The World Could Use Some Peace
The world could use some peace… and it starts with the leaders you elect. Exploring how citizen responsibility in elections dictates war, peace, and human dignity.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentPeace & LeadershipNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 10December 2025
Isolationism: Can Nations Survive Alone?
Closing borders triggers global shockwaves. Analyzing how economic protectionism, immigration barriers, and isolationist foreign policies undermine multilateral resilience.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentForeign PolicyNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 11November 2025
Brick by Brick: The Quiet Art of Public Service Innovation
Breaking down bureaucratic inertia through the quiet, persistent craft of incremental public sector innovation and institutional governance.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentPublic ServiceNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 12October 2025
Wars, Diplomacy, and (Foreign) Policy
A country that shows discipline rather than aggression signals confidence in its strength. Examining international diplomacy, deterrence, and strategic foreign policy.
NewsletterSide Walk ParliamentDiplomacyNewsletterSide Walk Parliament NewsletterNewsletter Issue - 13Special PublicationBook
Minutes from the roundtable
This literature is a compilation of practical recommendations stemming from the highly cerebral sessions of The Policy Roundtable. A "not for profit", policy conversation centered organization, headquatered in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.
BookThe Policy RoundtableDownload Available - 142024
The Plastic Bags Prohibition and Management Bill
Ayantunji served as a consultant and legislative draftsman for a Nigerian parliament committee to structure this bill, which aims to prohibit the manufacture and use of commercial plastic bags to mitigate environmental degradation.
Legislative DraftingEnvironmental PolicyStatutory ReformNational AssemblyPolicy Brief / Legislative DraftNational Assembly of Nigeria · Legislative Drafting CommitteeLegislative Draft - 15July 2023
Nigeria's Cashless Transition: How Long Will it Take?
An analysis of the socio-economic and legal implications of Nigeria's transition to a cashless economy, the Central Bank's implementation of the eNaira, and the regulatory hurdles of digital payment adoption.
Cashless EconomyeNairaDigital GovernanceAPRIEssay / MediaThe Africa Hour Podcast (APRI)Podcast / Essay - 16April 2022
The Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Strengthening the Budgeting Process in Nigeria
A primary research study examining how civil society organizations hold the 9th National Assembly accountable during budget processes. The paper identifies systemic factors militating against legislative budgeting and proposes reforms based on primary interview data.
Budgeting ProcessCivil SocietyLegislative AccountabilityNILDSReport / Working PaperNational Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) RepositoryOpen access - 17October 2021
My Mission is to Change the Narrative, Ignite Sense of Patriotism in Youths
An extensive interview detailing the founding of The Policy Roundtable. Ayantunji discusses his shift from legal practice to public policy, and how his NGO simplifies complex government policies to foster youth civic engagement.
Civic EngagementYouth AdvocacyThe Policy RoundtableTHISDAYEssay / MediaTHISDAYLiveMedia Feature